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1215
13th Century
The Mongol conquests of Asia and Europe were noted for their barbarity and genocide.
The Magna Carta limited the power of the King of England -
1275
Late 14h Century
The Turko-Mongol conqueror Tamerlane was noted for his brutality and massacres.
The Magnus Lagaboters Landslov of the King of Norway promised equality before the law. -
1800-1900
July 4, 1776 The United States Declaration of Independence is signed, declaring that all men have "unalienable rights."
1 December 1865 After a four-year Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution officially ends slavery in the United States.
1870 - The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives blacks and all races the right to vote.
1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote." -
1990-2000
1991 - Dissolution of the Soviet Union, brought about in large part, according to some, by human rights activism.June 1993 - The World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna adopts the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. 1994 - The U.N. creates the position of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Human Rights. .1998 - United Nations creates the International Criminal Court.December 1998 - The U.N. adopts the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. -
Period: to
1600-1700
1625 - In De jure belli et pacis Hugo Grotius argues that "natural law" existed independently of political powers.
1628 - Petition of Right in England asserts the right to be free from arbitrary arrest or imprisonment.
1679 - The English Habeus Corpus Act establishes protection from arbitrary detention.
1689 - English Bill of Rights
1690 - Philosopher John Locke writes about "natural rights"
