The Development of Liberalism

By noreenalmond
  • 500 BCE

    Ancient Greek Democracy 6th Century BC-600 AD

    The Greek Democracy was fundamental in the shaping of modern day democracies. The actual word democracy originates from the word demos kratia meaning "the people rule." Although the Greeks were very forward thinking in their development of a democracy, their rules regarding who could participate on their democracy were not enlightened. Women and slaves were not considered citizens and could not vote. Voting riles changed as liberalism evolved which now ensures every voice is heard.
  • 1215

    Magna Carta 1215

    The Magna Carta was drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and approved on the 15th of June 1215 by King John of England. It is the first example of the existence of individual rights and freedoms and the development of the concept of rule of law. Rule of law is still present in modern day society and is fundamental to the protection of its citizens. The individual rights and freedoms of people living in modern day liberal societies are paramount to maintaining this ideology
  • 1400

    The Haudenosaunee Confederacy 15th Century- Present

    The Haudenosaunee are also referred to as the Iroquois. Their participatory democracy is though to be one of the longest lasting in the world. Following centuries of war the first nations agreed to observe and comply to the Great Law of Peace. The Haudenosaunee believed in peace and harmony, the division of powers, equal participation, and rights and freedoms of the individual. All these things are considered to have offered inspiration in the writing of the US constitution.
  • 1500

    The Renaissance 14th-16th Century

    Renaissance meaning "rebirth" is seen as a crucial bridging between the middle ages and the modern times. The Renaissance was the beginning of viewing individuals as having worth and dignity. Reason over faith was key to their thinking. This led to development of seeing and treating people as individuals. The Renaissance Humanists believed that people were their own power source opposing popular thought at the time that people and their natures were divined by a godly power.
  • 1517

    Reformation 1517-1645

    German Pastor Martin Luther brought to the public attention the corruption present within the Catholic Church. Luther believed that the Church's power had lead to the deceiving of its follows , while abusing its power. The Reformation, put forward similar ideas to that of the Renaissance Humanists that people were individuals who should be able to make their own assumptions and opinions based on reason. The rationality of the individual increased and the church's power decreased.

  • The Enlightenment 18th Century

    Enlightenment writers rejected the importance of inherited privilege, the divine rights of kings. John Locke argued that people have the right to property, liberty and life. The importance of the masses as individuals and their right to participate in their society became important at this time. These thoughts and views were fundamental in both the American and French Revolutions. The Enlightenment is also referred to as the "Age of Reason," following the views of Renaissance thinkers

  • The American Revolution 1776

    Early liberal thinkers such as John Locke had great influence on the American Revolution. The American colonists wanted independence form Britain and no longer wanted to be ruled by a foreign Monarch. The notion of a democratic society, equality and individual rights and freedoms were paramount in the development of the USA. The writing of the American constitution was inspired the events taking lace in Europe and the Haudenosaunne Confederacy.

  • The French Revolution 1789

    The French Revolution followed the American Revolution. They liberal principles brought forward to the world after the formation of the USA inspired the French to attempt to alter their own society with the application of liberal principles. The French Revolution resulted in important documents which highlighted the impact of liberalism on French society. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was the first step in establishing individual freedoms of men.

  • Changes to the Class System 19th- 20th Century

    With the development of classical liberalism, so too developed the notion of changes to the class system. Gone were the days of presumed class by birth, opening the doors to the value placed on people as being unique individuals. Social classes of birth began to transform to classes of wealth. The concept of social class was replaced by wealth. Any individual within a liberal society had the potential to become nouveau riche and to challenge the higher classes of society.