-
500
Athenian Democracy (B.C)
First known democracy of the world, the People of Athens governed themselves. They practiced direct democracy; but only adult males with land were given the right to participate. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
It is a milestone in the development of a constitutional government. Clause 3 of the Magna Carta provided all free men the right to justice and fair trial. Another clause states that the king must seek advice and consent of barons in important matters of state such as the raising of taxes. These clauses are applicable to modern democracy. -
American Constitution
Founding fathers wished to create a new democratic society based on the principle of “one man, one vote” excluding women and slaves. Over time, the right to vote was given to all adults. -
French Revolution
Overthrew the monarch of France, hoped to restore wealth to the entirety of French society and terminate the high inequality of the previous government. Revolution was not the start of democracy in France, but it forced Europe to contemplate putting democracy into practise. -
Canadian Confederation
Canada became a country when provinces Ontario, Quebec New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia came together. Prior to confederation, it was decided Canada would become a federal union with two levels of government: federal and provincial, and Canada would have a central parliament including the Monarch, the Senate, and the House of Commons. -
New Zealand women given the right to vote
Suffrage campaigners led by Kate Sheppard, compiled massive petitions throughout 1891, 1892, and 1893 to grant women the right to vote. New Zealand had become the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote. -
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The declaration states “Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people...All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The declaration is incorporated into the laws of democratic nations across the world. -
Canadians Safeguarding Democratic Rights
Shortly after the creation of the Berlin Wall, it was stressed that Canadians exercise their right to vote. This was, and still is a very important right that Canadians have and was later established in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Forms part one of the constitution act. Section one of the charter states that rights and freedoms are not unlimited in a democracy. Parliament and provincial legislature can restrict constitutional rights. -
Tiananmen Square Pro-Democracy Movement, China
The People’s Liberation Army of China was sent to put an end to the pro-democracy protesters in cities across China. The most chaos, and worst riots took place in China’s capital, Beijing. This protest is known as one of the major democracy protests ever to take place. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built buy the German Democratic Republic to divide Eastern and Western Germany. It was meant to keep out “fascists”. In 1989, the wall was taken down and it was declared that citizens of either side could cross the border whenever they desired. -
Dayton Accord
After more than three years of the War of the Balkans, Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia sign the Dayton Accord to end the war. The Dayton Accord outlines a General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia remains it’s own state but is divided into two parts, one part being the Bosniak-Croats and the other the Bosnian Serbs. -
Iraqis vote in first multi-party election for half a century
For the first time, Iraqis vote in their country’s first multi-party election for half a century. Over 60% of the country’s population cast votes and the election was deemed a “resounding success” by 2005’s president, George Bush. -
Charter of Democracy is signed by two former PMs of Pakistan in London
Former Prime Ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif signed the Charter of Democracy. The former PM’s believed that it was their responsibility to allow the people of Pakistan to make decisions for their country in order to ensure better living conditions for the entire country. -
Saudi Arabia’s women vote in election for the first time
For the first time, women voted in Saudia Arabia’s municipal elections. As another first for the country, women also served as candidates. Approximately 130 000 women were registered to vote in the 2015 elections.