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500
Ancient Greek Democracy
The Ancient Greek Democracy was initiated by the Greek leader Cleisthenes around the year 500 B.C. In this first form of democracy there was the ekklesia(governing group that voted laws). the boule(council of representatives) and the dikasteria(courts in which citizens argued cases before randomly chosen jurors). As the first democracy, it granted citizens equality, giving them the right to participate in governing affairs. Though it wasn't as efficient as modern democracy it was the beginning. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
This was an agreement between the King of Britain and his subjects; it limited the power of the monarch and increased/ensured the rights and freedoms of the citizens.This agreement was vital in the development of the idea of the Rule of Law as well. Though the majority of its clauses are non existent today, some aspects such as the fact that people cannot be punished except by the law of the land is still existent today. -
Period: Jan 1, 1300 to Jan 1, 1500
Renaissance
This was a time in Europe(a.k.a. "rebirth") in which there was many changes to the society in many different aspects such as social, artistic, political and scientific aspects. There was more focus on the individual and one of the principles of liberalism-that humans are reasonable and able to make their own decisions-developed during this time. -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
A condeferacy of representatives from the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onadagas, Cayugas, Senecas and Tuscaroras united in an effort to establish peace among the nations who had been at war. They had many beliefs focusing on equality even among women, as well as ensuring individual rights and freedoms to a great extent. -
Period: Oct 31, 1517 to
Reformation
This event was led by protestants including Martin Luther who believed that the Church had lost its initial intentions to do good and had become too corrupted with power.The Reformation was moderately influenced by new methods of thinking thus shifting the focus on individuals rather than strict former beliefs, all while reaffirming religious beliefs. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
This was a time of great change in the methods of manufacturing. These processes changed from hand production to the use of technology which caused changes in society due to a decreased amount of workers needed in certain areas of work such as agriculture, forcing them into cities for work while making others such as land owners much more wealthy and powerful. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
During this time, a group of intellectuals in Europe initiated the focus of the scientific method in order to view common matters of the time in order to "reform" society from using a religious perspective to using logical reasoning and cause people to become more individualist and independent. -
American Revolution
This was a time in which the Thirteen Colonies seperated from the British Empire becoming their own independent nation. The Americans had felt the British had taken their rights and were forcing them to pay too much in taxes. The result was that America had become independent, its people now had their individual rights and freedoms and their economic freedom, which originally they did not fully have due to the British. -
French Revolution
This was a time of revolt in France in which the focus of democracy, individualism and nationalism escalated and the power of the monarchies and churches declined. The French Revolution had been inspired by the American Revolution, the French saw the Americans successfully attain their individual rights and so they did the same. -
Period: to
Changes to Class System
By this time the industrial revolution had had an impact on society, including its social class systems. There were always social classes, there will continue to be social classes, however once these changes began to take place citizens now had greater opportunities to escape lower social classes and climb to higher social classes through the liberalist perspective.