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508 BCE
Athenian democracy
First known democracy in the world. System of direct democracy in which participating citizens voted directly on legislation and executive bills. Particaiption was open only to adult, male citizens. -
Period: 27 BCE to 1453
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was established after the fall of the Roman Republic. Augustus Ceasar was crowned the first Emperor of Rome. The Roman Empire spanned the entire Mediterranea at the height of it’s power and the Eastern half of the empire did not fall until 1453 AD. -
Period: 509 to 31 BCE
Ancient Roman Republic
Rome overthrew its last king and established the Roman republic. The Roman republic was headed by two consuls, who were primarily generals whose task it was to lead Rome’s armies. At times Rome appointed a dictator in place of consuls, who had supreme military command for a period of 6 months or less. The Senate was made up of the elite citizens of Rome and they wieleded enormous power over both magistrates and the Roman people. In the Senate, legislation was proposed, debated over, and adopted. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Libertatum
A charter agreed to by King John of England on 15 June 1215. First drafted to make peace between the King and a group of rebel barons, it promised the protection of church rights, protection for barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the crown. Neither side stood by their agreements and it lead to the First Baron’s War. It was later adopted by John’s heir Henry III, with its more radical content stripped, as part of a peace treaty in 1217 -
Period: 1570 to
Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy (officially recognized as the Six Nations in 1722) was a confederation of 5 (later 6) tribes across upper New York State. Founded between 1570 and 1600, 5 tribes untied to stand together agains invasion. They played a key role in the struggle for North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Their democratic and decentralized style of government were drawn upon during the formation of the American government. They were defeated by the expanding Americans in 1784. -
Petition of Right of 1628
Written by Parliament as an objection to an overreach of authority by King Charles I. The Petition contained four main points:
1. No taxes could be levied without Parliament’s consent
2. No English subject could be imprisioned without cause
3. No quartering of soldiers in citizens homes
4. No martial law may be used in peacetime -
Period: to
John Locke
An English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlgihtenment and commonly known as the “Father of Liberalism.” Locke argued that people have rights (ie life, liberty, and property) that have a foundation independent of the laws of any society. Locked used the claim that men are naturally free and equal as part of the justification for understanding legitimate government as the result of a social contract between the government and the people. -
Period: to
Motesquieu
A French judge and political philosopher. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is now implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. -
English Bill of Rights
An act of Parliment that guaranteed certain rights of citizens of England from the power of the crown. The Bill creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the monarchy, enhances democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech. -
Period: to
Thomas Paine
An English-born American political activist, pamphleteer, journalist, propagandist, and revolutionary. Paine is one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. who brought many of the ideas of the Enlightenment to the American people through his pamphlets one of which (Common Sense) is essentially an attack on King George III.
