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1215
Magna Carta
Taxing, unsuccessful foreign policy, and public unrest pressured King John into creating a charter of liberties that would place all sovereign leaders under rule of law. He needed to agree to create it or risk a full scale rebellion. Initially unsuccessful it was altered and reissued in 1216, 1217, and 1225, and is often viewed as a symbol of freedom from oppression. In 1776 USA founding fathers looked to the charter for direction around gaining liberty from the English Crown. -
1508
Nicolaus Copernicus
Astronomer who developed heliocentric idea of the planetary movement or that the planets move around the sun vs. around earth. This threatened the catholic churches idea the world revolved around organized relegion. He became a symbol of standing alone and for an idea that went against the majority and challenged people’s view of the world. -
1517
Martin Luther: 95 Thesis
Monk and scholar, wrote a document criticizing the catholic churches practices of selling “indulgences” to absolve people of sin. 2 major points: Bible should be where you get your religious information and you cannot be judged based upon your deeds but instead your faith, this sparked protestant reformation. His writings spread throughout Germany and Rome. Pope condemned him for teaching ideas that go against the church. He refused to recant. Translated the new testament into German. -
Mayflower Compact
In Provincetown Harbor near cape cod MA, created fair and equal law for the general good of all in the settlement and with a majority rule. Learned from early settlers who failed without a clear rule of law. 41 male signers observed until 1691. Needed for survival, no intention for declaration of independence. Honored between god, man, and each other. Referred to by John Adams and other historians as foundation for us constitution. -
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia ended the 30 years’ war. It was a treaty between the Dutch republic and the kingdom of Spain. Two additional treaties made sure to include the Holy Roman Empire, France and their other allies This established a new political order using the idea of sovereign states where a governing body would hold states in check by using a “balance of power”. A delegation of representative was used. Later used as inspiration for how we have our government set up today. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Considered an influential thinker during the enlightenment period. Put forth the idea that humans are good by nature and are corrupted by society versus born needing to work towards being good through deeds. -
Committees of Correspondence
1764 Boston created first one to write to other colonies to encourage resistance and way to maintain communication lines prior to the revolutionary war. With the deteriorating relationship with Britain made this important. 1772 a new committee was created to communicate message that the MA judges and governors would answer to the crown only. These committees helped build a sense of commonality between the colonies and helped them unite as one and share their ideas and visions. -
Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations
March 9, 1776, first collected descriptions of what a nation’s wealth and is fundamental work economist study. he said that the system should be left with a lot of freedom so it can guide itself, and that this is limited by groups that are at the expense of others and only extended to “privileged” individuals. -
Declaration on Independence
In Philadelphia, the Lee resolution, expressed what many others are feeling and put in motion the idea to declare independence from the crown. They set up their own government since they had no response to their grievance from the Britain and in 1775 the reply stated they were in open rebellion. Committee of 5 originally with 3 stages- Jefferson wrote it, Franklin Adams revised, then version submitted to congress. 5 parts- intro, preamble, the body, and a conclusion. -
Mary Wollstonecraft
English writer, feminist, and philosopher, she struck out on her own leaving an abusive father, very odd for the time period. After having her first child she wrote series of writings about her travels and perspective on life. After her first husband left her she married a fell philosopher and sadly died after the birth of her second daughter Mary, the author of Frankenstein. -
Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Women
Her master did not free her in accordance with New York Anti-Slavery Law she ran away or “walked away by daylight" in her words Isabella 1843 changed her name to sojourner of truth. 1850’s involved in the woman’s right movement. 1851 delivered a speech at a women’s rights convention held in Akron Ohio, delivered most famous abolitionist speech. Advocate for human rights in the early 1900’s.She was my favorite to research. Her life must have been incredibly difficult yet rewarding. -
Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America
Traveled to the US to study the prison system wrote observations in 1835 “democracy in America” on equality and individualism, essentially an analysis of American culture. It is an explanation of America to Europeans. Believed that equality was the biggest social idea of his time. Found that a society of individuals lacked social structures to mediate between the individual and the larger governing body. -
Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions
Document signed by 68 women and 32 men (300 attendees in all) this was at the first women’s right convention organized by women, in Seneca falls NY, principal author was Elizabeth Cady Stanton and caused much controversy, modeled after the declaration of independence. Some thought it went too far and would hinder the women’s right movement. At the time some of the ideas put forth challenged the thoughts of even those who also were advocating for women's rights. -
Max Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
Written by Max Weber, series of essays. Founding text to economic sociology and sociology. He wrote about how he believed that the northern European movement towards capitalism was largely driven by Protestant work ethic, “time is money” wasted time is wasted money. Pre-capitalist way of thinking would be that if you were paid more you could work less versus if you are paid more you can work more to get more. Spirit of capitalism or the “pursuit of calling” had a religious basis in his belief. -
John Maynard Keynes
Famous economist whose ideas are still being used today. During the great depression in the 1930’s his ideas fundamentally changed theories and ideas around economics. Keynesian economics, magnum opus General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. -
Milton Friedman
Prominent advocate for free markets (an economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses... Some of his work took the Keynesian view. 1976 won Nobel prize for consumption analysis, monetary history and theory and demonstration of stabilization policy. Advocated for things such as volunteer army, free flowing exchange rates, ed vouchers, and a negative income tax. -
Port Huron
Political manifesto created in 1962 by student activist movement Student’s for a Democratic Society. Tom Hayden primary author. Asked for a participatory democracy. -
Robert Putnam: Civil Society
This work explored the relationship between economic modernity and institutional performance. What was discovered through research of the Italian civic traditions was a connection between civic community and the performance of political structures as a whole. They found that the stronger the tradition around civic duties and when they were truly independent. -
Eve Sedgwick
Helped start the field of queer studies and begin open dialogue around the LGBT community. She felt that there was a homosexual theme in books written by male authors such as Charles Dickens. She wrote a book called “Between Men: English Literature and Homosexual desire” in 1985.
“What I'm proudest of, I guess, is having a life where work and love are impossible to tell apart.”- Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick -
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
Civil rights advocate and leading scholar in the critical race theory. The critical race theory analyzes race using critical theory to examine race, power, and law. Her work was influential in the drafting of Constitution of South Africa. She also represented Anita Hill when she was running for appointment in the supreme court.