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507 BCE
Ancient Greek Democracy
Cliesthenes introduced Demokratia, or "rule by the people" into Athenian politics. The first recorded democracy. It was a direct democracy -
1300
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period in time between the 14th and the 17th century, with major "rebirth" of politics, economics, and philosophy as its focal point. The notions of humanism, began to surface, man was the center of his own universe, and educational pursuits became more prominent. People, like Thomas Hobbes and Galileo started to publish works touching on politics and philosophy, they started the rise of classical liberal thinkers. -
1500
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy was a group of 6 tribes, banded together for protection and peace. They were run by a council which was run as a kind of democracy, who's purpose was to keep the peace, punish the guilty, make 'laws', and general keep order within the community. They were classical liberals in the way that they valued the individual and the freedom that the individual was entitled to as long as it didn't harm anyone else. -
English Civil Wars
The English civil wars, were conflicts between the Monarchy, religious leaders of Catholicism, Protestantism, and Anglicanism, and the common people. Taking place during the Renaissance, the ideas of the philosophers of that time were integrated into the beginning of Oliver Cromwell's tactics, where the monarchy was limited in its power, and more power rested in the hands of the people. Near the end of the wars, more of the 'Leviathan' of Thomas Hobbes was seen. -
Enlightenment
Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason was a time of political, social, and scientific reform, with philosphers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke(early enlightenment), Montesquieu, Volitaire, Rousseau(high enlightenment), and Adam Smith(late enlightenment). These philosiphers and economists created the basis of almost every political system we see today. Adam Smith was one of the biggest influences of classic liberalism, with his term of Laissez-faire economics. -
Industrial Revolution
Starting in 1750 and continuing into the 19th century, the industrial revolution was the beginning of the practical application of Laissez-faire economics, and classical liberalism. Focus on the individual, and less government interference in economics and social doings of the individual.
The factory acts were guidelines that attempted to better the conditions of child workers, this is an example of government intervention that protects people but doesn't harm business. -
American Revolution
Staring in 1765 and ending in 1783 The 13 Colonies revolted against the oppressive rule of Great Britain, creating for themselves a constitutional democracy, or a Democratic republic with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, severing ties with Britain. -
The French Revolution
Starting in 1789 lasting until 1799, the French Revolution was a revolt by the common people to rid themselves of the Absolute monarchy in place. Encouraged by the results of the American Revolution, the French overturned the monarchy, and signed the The Declaration of the Rights of Man and The Citizen. Which served as a constitution for the French society.
