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5000 BCE
Ancient Greek democracy
The people of Athens created the first democratic system known to man. This is important to the development of classical liberalism as most liberal societies use democracy to pick their leaders. Voting is considered an individual right and freedom. -
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the first successful constitution in all of European history. This document had 63 clauses for the citizens of England. This developed classical liberalism as it was a charter granting all the citizens of England individual rights and freedoms. -
1400
Renaissance
The Renaissance is the rebirth of human nature. Many thinkers of the renaissance began to change the way of life in many ways. These include artistic, social, political, and intellectual change. Faith became less important to reason and the rights that are guaranteed by being human. These rights being developed showed classical liberalism evolving. -
1500
Haudenosaunee confederacy
Six Aboriginal tribes had been at war before coming together to abide to the great law of peace. These tribes gave equal participation to women in decision making. They would establish rights and freedoms that were for everyone. This develops Classical liberal principles such as individual rights and freedoms. -
1517
Reformation
When Martin Luther began to see the church becoming corrupt with power; he demanded a reform to stay to its true purpose. Faith in the nature of humans would grow and humans could make rational decisions on their own. Many classical liberal thinkers believed that people could make rational decisions on their own. -
American Revolution
13 of Great Britain’s colonies in North America gained independence and went on to from the United States. There was a civil war between the British crown and the colonies. Countries including the French, the Dutch, and the Spanish joined the revolution against the British making this an international war. This would lead onto the creation of the Declaration of Independence. This gave Americans their rights. This develops as a classical liberal society. -
French revolution
France being on the brink of bankruptcy, King Louis XVI attempted to make an economic reform. This would lead the creation of the Third estate. The third estate looked to create political reform. When this reform was made it gave the French the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This gave the citizens’ rights and freedoms that the monarchy never gave them. This not only gave them a classical liberal principle of individual freedoms, but also the rule of law. -
Enlightenment
With the renaissance becoming more popular thinkers were developing these ideas and using them to create classical liberalism. -
Industrial Revolution
The industrial revolution brought many changes that started in Europe and would eventually spread around the world. Technological advancements were made, private property became more available, the individual rights and economic freedom were more in demand, and a rise in competition. This heavily developed classical liberalism with the development of competition, gave people more freedoms, and most property that was publicly owned became privately owned. -
Changes to the class system
With industrialization on the rise, the class system underwent changes. The main change that happened that was that the rich class became the factory owners, lawyers and other highly prestigious jobs. The laborers became the other class, serving the higher classes. In the past class was determined on where you were born, you weren’t able to change classes; now you are able to change classes with hard work.
