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Enlightenment period
The Enlightenment period dictates a cultural shift towards valuing reason, individual rights, and questioning traditional authority. Looking away from legal discourse and towards moral and ethical discourse. Laying the groundwork for pushing individualistic ideals -
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV
October 10, 1685, was led by King Louis XIV religiously persecuting anyone who refused to convert to Catholicism or protestants within France. This contributed to the intellectual advocation for religious tolerance and individual rights beyond the state. -
Two Treaties of Government
In 1689 John Locke published an important contribution to social construct theory, "Two Treaties of Government". Refuting the idea of the inherited divine right of kings. Locke believed all humans were born naturally equal. That individual rights are inherent as natural beings and not granted by the government. Locke emphasized the separation of an individual from the state, political authority is consented to by the governed and asserts the duty to defend natural rights against infringement. -
Death of Louis XIV
Many European Historians refer to the Death of Louis XIV as the true start of the enlightenment process. They consider this because it ended the absolute monarchy. This happened when the Duke of Orleans Pillipe II took the throne. Phillipe II and his ideals paved the way for Enlightenment ideas to spread more freely. Ideals that directly relate to individualism. -
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Publication of the Encyclopedie
Edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, the "Encyclopedie" was a core promoter of Individualistic and Enlightenment ideas. The first edition consists of 28 volumes and has been printed multiple times. The widespread distribution means its ideas touched many audiences, influencing and reinforcing public opinion. Challenging established authority, the work inspired and supported various reform movements. It accomplished this by promoting "Rational thought". -
The 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This fundamental document played a pivotal role in promoting and evolving the concept of individualism. This document outlined the fundamental rights and freedoms and profoundly influenced modern political thought and individual rights. This document declared in Article 1 that individuals possessed inherent rights simply by being human. -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution dramatically advanced the discourse on individual rights and advocated for universal human rights. challenging the legitimacy of absolute monarchy. -
The Storming of Bestille
The storming of Bestille marks the start of the French Revolution. This is when the ideas of Locke, Voltaire, Diderot, and many more were put into action. -
Mass execution
The Revolutionary Tribunal committed a mass execution of counter-revolutionary uprisings. Suspects like the former queen were tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal and executed. They executed thousands of suspected royalist and rebels. -
Establishment of the Committee of Public Safety
Internal and external threats to the revolution resulted from the National Convention establishing the Committee of Public Safety. Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the committee was given broad authoritarian powers to "protect" the revolution. -
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The Reign of Terror
in June 1793 the National Convention established the Committee of Public Safety, Led by Maximilien Robespierre. The Committee was granted unconventional and authoritarian powers to protect revolutionary ideals. By September the "Law of Suspect" spread paranoia and arbitrary detentions, significantly restricted individual freedoms and due process. This is considered a dark era for Individualism. -
Execution of the Hebertists
This execution of the Heberistd solidified Robespierre's control but further intensified the fear and repression in the country. -
Execution of Rebespierre
This marks the end of the "Reign of Terror". As the opposition to Robespierre's extreme policies grew his arrest and execution on July 28, 1794, was marked. This fall led to a period of relaxation from the extreme measures and the restoration of some individual rights. -
Uprising of 1848
A widespread uprising surged across Europe aimed to establish a liberal government and promote national self-identification. Although most were ultimately suppressed, they spread the ideals of democracy, individual liberty, and social reform. This ultimately influenced future political discourse and developments. -
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Revolutionary Era
This period was marked by significant political upheavals and intellectual developments that reshaped the understanding of individualism. The rise and fall of various political systems, from democratic republics to socialist communes and communist states, each influenced the evolving concept of individual rights and autonomy in different ways. -
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Brief Establishment of the French Third Republic
Following the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War and the fall of the Second Empire, the Third Republic was established. The Republic emphasized democratic governance, civil liberties, and secularism, ultimately reinforcing the core principles of modern individual rights. -
Paris Commune
Some consider the Paris Commune a failed revolution. This radical socialist and revolutionary government ruled Paris for 3 months. This violent group ironically emphasized social justice and collective decision-making, affirming individual freedoms. -
Russian Revolution
The Bolshevik Revolution led to the establishment of a communist government in Russia. It posed a significant challenge to Western individualism by promoting collective ownership and state control over individual enterprise and property. -
End of World War II and Establishment of United Nations
Promoted global peace and the protection of human rights on a global scale. The post-war period saw a rise in consumer culture and emphasized the idea of freedom of choice in the pursuit of personal happiness. -
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Post World-War II
The post-World War II era saw significant advancements in racial and gender equality, in addition to civil rights. The economic prosperity and cultural shifts of this period further reinforced the values of individual choice and personal freedom, particularly in the Western world. -
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Feminist Movement, and Racial Segrgation
In the United States, the Civil Rights Movement fought against racial segregation and discrimination, advocating for equal rights and protection under the law for African Americans. Simultaneously, the feminist movement sought to address gender inequality and secure equal rights for women. -
Civil Rights Act
This legislation outlawed discrimination based on color, race, sex, religion, or national origin in the United States. It was a major step forward in affirming individual rights and ensuring equal protection under the law -
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late 20th Century - 2024
Overall, since the development of the World Wide Web, the late 20th and early 21st centuries represent a dynamic period characterized by technological innovation, globalization, expanding individual rights, and shifting cultural norms. These developments have profoundly influenced the expression and experience of individualism, shaping how individuals interact, communicate, and navigate their identities in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world.