Evolution of Democracy

Code of Hammurabi

1754 BCE

The Code of Hammurabi was created to seek justice and punish wrong-doers so that the weak can be protected from the strong. It covered slander, trade, slavery, the duties of workers, theft, liability and divorce. The term "an eye for an eye" held great importance to Hammurabi's Code. This was one of the earliest written legal codes known today. It was very modern for the time and many of their values could still be upheld today.

Pericles' Funeral Oration

404 BCE

The Pericles' Funeral Oration was a speech given to commemorate the soldiers that died protecting Athens' freedom. Pericles wanted to strengthen Athenian democracy and the empire. His speech strengthened the spirits of Athenian soldiers and allowed them to fight on. Athenian democracy was heavily guided by Pericles. More so, Pericles expanded citizens participation in politics by creating paid jury time, also expanding peoples desire to vote.

Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta was a document that provided new rights to the English ruling class, nobles, civilians, and the Roman Catholic church, signed on June 15th 1215 by King John of England in response to his corruption. The Magna Carta ensured the King couldn't simply rule as he pleased and placed limitations on his power, reducing his power down from absolute. The Magna Carta was one of the earliest documents in history created that ensured certain rights to the country's people over the Monarch

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Aug 26, 1789

The Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789 was one of the basic charters of human liberties, containing the original principles that inspired the French Revolution. The basic principle of the Declaration was that all “men are born and remain free and equal in rights”, which were specified as the rights of liberty, private property, the inviolability of the person, and resistance to oppression. This made no mention of women but was the first step toward the French constitution.

Persons Case

Oct 18, 1929

The Persons Case, formally Edwards v. A.G. of Canada, was a constitutional ruling that established the right of women to be appointed to the Senate of Canada. The case was initiated in 1927 by the Famous 5, a group of prominent women activists who fought for women's rights for governmental representation. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not “persons”, and therefore were denied many rights that mean possessed. The Person case fought against this, ensuring increased equality.

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1948

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to protect peoples freedom, equality and dignity. The main idea is that universally everyone deserves human rights. It wants to promote peace and progress while preventing crimes against humanity. This was the first universal declaration for protecting human rights. After the declaration, more than 70 human rights treaties have been created.

Canadian Bill of Rights

1960

The Canadian Bill of Rights was the first federal law to protect human rights in Canada. At the time it was groundbreaking and essential to Canadian's fundamental freedoms. It gives people basic rights such as speech and religion. Previously, the war measures act was put into use for World War I and II where citizens right had to be denied. This created a need for the bill of rights to ensure peoples freedoms were still protected under all circumstances.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Apr 17, 1982

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which was adopted in 1982, guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject to reasonable limits prescribed by law. The charter guarantees such rights as the right to equality, democracy, and mobility. The freedoms include those of conscience, religion, and peaceful assembly. Anyone whose Charter rights or freedoms have been infringed/denied may apply to the court to receive whatever compensation the court considers appropriate and just.