Most states permitted only white men who owned property to vote-that is, about 6% percent of the population. Women, slaves, free men of color and many poor men could not vote. Native American Indians could not vote, either, because they were considered to belong to separate nations.
Why was the new government not considered a democracy?
Religious freedoms were not yet spelled out in law
People had a limited role in choosing leaders
The delegates wanted a three-part system
National laws restricted states' rights