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600 BCE
Ancient Greek Democracy
Ancient Greece had a democracy much like ours except only 12% of the population could participate as women, foreigners, slaves, etc. were excluded. Further, there were 40 meetings a year with about 1/6 of eligible voters in attendance.
~FUN FACT: democracy comes from the Greek "demos kratia".~
Pictured are ruins in Greece. The picture is public domain and free to be used without attribution -
1215
Magna Carta
A document put into place in Great Britain in order to reduce the amount of power granted to the monarchy and establish the limits they had; ergo, making the divine right of king less significant. It set the foundation for the liberal principle of rule of law. -
Period: 1300 to
Renaissance
The Renaissance acted as a time of improvement and reform all throughout Europe as people felt liberated from the strict convention of the Middle Ages and explored the opportunities renewed art and literature held in store. Further, new thinking and belief in the import of the individual and their capacity to be rational spread across Europe resulting in a shift away from the reliance of the Church that once existed. -
Period: 1400 to
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) peoples acted as an example for future democracies as they were one of the first participatory democracies to exist. Moreover, it had very progressive (compared to Europe, at the time) views on rights, freedoms, and equality for all regardless of upbringing or clan or anything! The Haudenosaunee Confederacy served as inspiration for the American Constitution. -
Period: 1517 to
Reformation
The restructuring of the Church, as incited by Martin Luther, allowed many to break away from traditional Catholic ways and allowed for the construction of new denominations. Individuals did not feel confined to the structure and beliefs of the Catholic church. -
Age of Enlightenment
European philosophers popularized the beliefs and principles of liberalism across Europe. This allowed many commoners to realize their worth and desire for indivudal autonomy.
Some philosophers: John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacque Rouseau. Photo of a sculpture like one that may have come about during/after the Renaissance during the Enlightenment Period. Free to be used without attribution -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
A technological revolution that occurred in Britain characterized by the shift from manual labour to innovative technologies; thus, encouraging individuals to realize their capabilities. This encouraged individual and economic freedom as more and more people joined the middle class and demanded the same right as those above them. Furthermore, since more people were able to produce the same good in a shorter amount of time, competition rose. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a bloody, long waged, battle allowing the colonial soldiers to flee from the domineering eye of the British. Though it was brutal, the liberal desire for autonomy and establishment of government limits (in this case, abolishment of the current government) were in the end fulfilled. Photo of the Confederate flag, no attribution required
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history# -
French Revolution
The people of France spoke out against the unjust treatment they had been receiving from their monarchy in order to attain the equality they so badly desired - The French Revolution. This violent revolting was an act of liberalism as "serfs" made a shift from the old in order to make known their ability to think reasonably and to claim their right to autonomy.
https://www.history.com/topics/french-revolution -
Class System Changes
Social class systems based on birthright were abolished and replaced by class systems based on individual wealth. This allowed everyone an opportunity to change economic class, due to private property and economic freedom, despite how much they were born into. Due to limited government involvement (security and essential services) citizens grew more independent in their financial standings. photo is free to be used without attribution
