Government

500 BC

500

The Greeks lived in self-governing cities. Free Male citizens of Athens would gather to discuss and debate issues. Decisions were reached by consensus. Since the number of free citizens was relatively small, direct democracy could take place. Women, foreigners, enslaved people, and children were not considered citizens

527 CE

527

Byzantine Emperor Justinian proclaimed the divine right of kings. Ever since King David the Old Testament was anointed by God’s prophet, monarchs claimed that they had the divine right to rule their people as absolute rulers. The monarchs claimed that they had received their right to govern from God and were accountable only to God.

1215

Sep 16, 1215

n England, King John's nobles revolted against him and forced him to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter). Though it benefited the nobles most, it also established some basic legal rights: the rule of law, which said that the king was not above the law; and habeas corpus, which gave everyone the protection of the law and the right to a fair trial within a reasonable amount of time.

1450

Sep 16, 1450

Five distinct Aboriginal nations – the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Cayuga, and Onondaga – formed the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. This may have been the fist federated government known in history. A Grand Council of 50 representatives from five nations met to make major decisions based on consensus.

1642-1646

Sep 16, 1646

At the end of the English Civil War, the parliamentary forces defeated King Charles 1 and abolished the monarchy. Parliament was declared the governing body of Britain. Later in the century a constitutional monarchy was established with the monarch ruling with parliament.

Late 18th century

Sep 16, 1700

The American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799) ended monarchical rule and established republics with elected leaders in both countries.

1849

Sep 16, 1849

Lord Elgin, the governor of a united Upper and Lower Canada, accepted that the elected body was supreme. Responsible government was created. The executive branch became responsible to the elected Assemblies and followed the will of the people’s representatives.

1867

Sep 16, 1867

Four provinces in British North America united under the British North America Act to form Confederation. The Act set out the structure of the federal system. The division of power was separated between federal and provincial governments. The structure of government modeled the British system with an elected House of Commons. An appointed Senate replaced the British House of Lords.

1916 1918

Sep 16, 1918

In 1916 the federal vote in Canada was given to white women over 21 years of age who were British subjects.The federal vote was given to Canadian women in 1918. Women of colour, however, did not receive the vote. First Nations women did not receive the right to vote in federal elections until 1960.

1929

Sep 16, 1929

Britain’s highest judicial authority, the Privy Council, overturned a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Privy Council ruled the term “person” refers to both males and females. Women had the right to vote for public office and to be appointed to government positions. The Famous Five fought for this ruling.