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1792 BCE
Code of Hammurabi
The code of Hammuabi established the laws of ancient Mesopotamia. This document created laws on subject such as lander, trade, slavery, the duties of workers, theft, liability, and divorces. The document also outlined how much certain professions should be paid, it was one of the first documents setting basic standards. -
431 BCE
Pericles' Funeral Oration
Pericles speech talks of the greatness of Athens, also including its legal and democratic system. The speech talks of how each man can get justice and freedoms. "If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences...if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life..."-Pericles -
1000
Feudalism
Feudalism was the system of land ownership in the middle ages. The Feudal system was almost the opposite of democracy as it gave people no right to vote and no basic rights, the more power you had the more rights you had. Feudalism eventually caused democracy and human rights to slowly come into effect. -
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was created to give the people of England basic rights, like the right to justice and a fair trial. It is considered the first steps towards parlimentary democracy in England and it was the first document of its kind in Europe. The document is still in use today. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens was created in France in 1789 during the French Revolution. The document was created to give basic human rights to all French citizens. The document touched on subjects such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and separation of powers. The document was revolutionary at the time and is still in use today. -
Persons case
The Persons Case was a constitutional ruling that established the right of women to be appointed to the senate of Canada. This is significant because it gave women rights to participate in canada's democratic process. -
United Nations-Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The United Nations-Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to give every human basic human rights. The document was the first of its kind because it applies basic rights to every human. The document was created after a brutal war and is still in use today. -
Canadian Bill of Rights
The Canadian Bill of of Rights was Canadian first document to protect human rights in Canada. This document was significant because it guaranteed basic Canadian rights. -
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms sets out those rights and freedoms that Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. This article is the basis for Canadian rights and freedoms and is still used today.
