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Ratification of the Peace of Munster Between Spain and the Dutch Republic in the town hall of Munster, 15 May 1648
The Treaty of Westphalia put forth notions of both freedom of and freedom from religion: while nations gained the right to determine their own religion, encouraging religious versatility, they also became more secularized and began interacting on an international stage filled with sovereign states, exercising their independence. Next stop: individuals' freedom. Picture found in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam -
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What is Europe?
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Marie-Antoinette Being Led to Her Execution, October 16, 1793
Marie-Antoinette's execution simbolizes breaking from the Old Order and embarking upon a journey characterized by the quest for more emphasis on the individual's well-being rather than that of the state of more specifically, the head of the state. The French awaken as individuals posessing the freedom to act. Original source for William Hamilton's "Marrie-Antoinette Being Led to Her Execution" -
Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway
William Turner's painting illustrates the sharp turn reality takes towards modernity through ncreased mechanization. Living recklessly: laissez-faire economic, big bucks, big inventions, speeding vehicles. (If you're lucky...). Source: The Web Gallery of Art -
The Revolution of March 15, 1848
Demanding freedom of press in Hungarian for the Hungarians: increasing awareness of being European citizens, free to (try to) take control of their own nation./Copyright has expired for this image; it is in the public domain -
The Russian Revolution
The egalitarian marriage of Marxism and feminism... or the "Wow! We can learn from socialism!" Rest of Europe follows and freedom for women commences. Primary Source:Reminiscences by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin -
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 3 proclaims that: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person." Europe has not seen another World War since the Declaration. Full online document of the UN Declaration of Human Rights
