-
Laissez-faire in Europe
Laissez-faire is an economic environment in which transactions between private parties are free from government restrictions, tariffs, and subsidies, with only enough regulations to protect property rights. On September 17, 1754, the King abolished all tolls and restraints on the sale and transport of grain, and for more than a decade the experiment was a success. -
The Industrial Revolution
This revolution started in 1760 and ended sometime between 1820 and 1840. It was a time of great change for Britain and the world. The steam engine and assembly line were two of many examples that helped the world further advance into the future. Since factories were increasing, they needed more workers which made them turn to children. Some as young as four years old were working and many were killed. The Industrial Revolution changed, and took lives. -
Nationalism
Nationalism was developed in the 18th century and it became a powerful force that spread throughout Europe. Nationalists were devoted and spirited about the nation and had a desire for national advancement or political independence. Nationalism had a very important role in ending colonial rule because it inspired the people to desire independence. -
Abolition of Slavery
Portugal was the first (after the 1750's) to abolish slavery, and thereafter many countries followed. It still is extremely prevalent in the West Coast of Africa but it is internationally "condemned". -
Democracy in America
Democracy is a system of government where people choose leaders by voting and everyone has equal rights. In 1762, Rousseau wrote "The Social Contract" which explained that the people should have input on how the government is run. This idea paved the way for the idea of democracy. In the 19th century, more and more revolutions started to occur and democratic governments began to develop. -
Liberalism (in U.S.)
In 1776 Declaration of Independence of the United States of America founded liberal principles. The declaration stated that "all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Many of the people were trying to undermine the politics already in place, liberalism kept growing larger and stronger. John Locke helped this. -
Absolutism
Absolutism started around 1610 till 1786. It was during the transition from feudalism to capitalism. It was more common is Europe. Absolutism is a type of national monarchy in which the monarch has great power and tends to be looked up to with "awe" and "reverence". France is the prime example of absolutism in the early modern era. (Picture of Louis XIV). -
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes traditional ways. A person who follows the philosophies of conservatism is referred to as a traditionalist or conservative. Edmund Burke is credited as one of the main theorists of conservatism in Great Britain in the 1790s. -
Anarchism
Anarchy is basically a system of self-government. The term "anarchist" was introduced in 1643 during the English civil war. However, William Godwin, a political philosopher, was the first to develop the first anarchist thought in the 1790's. -
Socialism
Socialism originated from Robert Owen, Pierre Leroux and Karl Marx. In 1791 socialism was inspired, and born from, capitalism. The idea started in France when political groups took capitalism and communism, and wanted to create a more fair system. -
Enlightenment
It was a cultural movement of intellectuals beginning in late 17th- and 18th-century. Its purpose was to reform society using reason, to challenge ideas grounded in tradition and faith, and to advance knowledge through the scientific method, which promoted scientific thought, skepticism, and intellectual interchange. It was a new way of human thoughts. -
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon ruled France from 1804-1814. He won many battles and abolished feudalism. Even though he failed at ruling all of Europe, it led to globalization of Western ideas. He created the Napoleonic Code, led reforms, and influenced other countries on military intelligence. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was a policy of the United States that stated that if any European nations tried to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America , it would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention. At the same time, the doctrine noted that the United States would'nt interfere with existing European colonies. -
Individualism
Individualism was introduced in 1830 by Owenites, who believed in the social and labor reform developed by Robert Owen. A person who is an individualist takes part in society to improve his interests without considering society's interests. There are different types of individualism such as political, philosophical, and economic. LIving on the American frontier was an extreme act of individualism because one would either fail or succeed surviving in the forests. -
Humanism
Humanism was founded thousands of years ago, but the Europeans practiced it intensely during the 19th century. It is a fact based philosophy that emphasizes the importace of evidence and reason. It was studied from 1600-1800 which is called "The Age of Reason". -
Communism
Marx and Engels published The Communist Manifesto on February 21, 1848, so you can date the existence of Communism as a theory to that date. The Russian Revolution that established the world's first Communist state took place on November 7, 1917. That date marks the beginning of the actual practice of Communism in government. Marx wanted to create equal economic standpoints for everyone, as him and others led as government. -
Darwinism
The term Darwinism was introduced when Charles Darwin published his book "On the Origin of Species". The theory stated that all species develop through natural selection and evolution. It soon came to be a philosophy about biology and society. Darwin's ideas influenced others such as Herbert Spencer who was a philosopher that applied Darwin's ideas to society. He made the 1864 phrase, "survival of the fittest". -
Colonial Imperialsim ("Scramble of Africa")
This imperialism resulted in the colonization of Africa. This was the invasion, occupation, colonization, and annexation of African territory by European powers. It took place during the New-Imperialism, 1881-1914. -
Indian Nationalism
Western education in India caused many Indian intellectuals to turn to nationalism as the way to "reclaim" india for its peoples. Many of the Indian Nationalists came from the middle class, who had prospered from trade and manufacturing. Hoping to increase their influence and improve employment opportunities in the Indian Government, they convened the first Indian National Congress in 1885. -
Berlin Conference
The conference heightened colonial activity by European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African self-governance. It regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period, and coincided with Germany's sudden emergence as an imperial power.
