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507 BC
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The Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced democracy, where people were able to choose their leaders. It lasted for two centuries in Greece, but it's still used in the modern world. The Athenian democracy was made up of three different institutions, The Ekklesia, The Boule and The Dikasteria. This even contributed to classical liberalism because it first introduced the idea of equality before the law. Cleisthenes did not support the idea of aristocrats to have any power in politics because of their status. The ''Rule of Law'' principle states that the law is equal to everybody no matter their status in society.
1215
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The Magna Carta was signed by King John in England, with him agreeing to a charter of liberties. This meant that everybody in England, including the King himself would be under the law. England considered the Magna Carta to be a symbol of freedom from oppression. This even contributed to classical liberalism by providing again another example of the principle "Rule of Law" and also "Individual Rights." After the Magna Carta was signed, it ensured people had rights, that didn't depend on their social status anymore. Lower classes being oppressed because of their status were also abolished by the document. It also made sure every English citizen was judged by the law equally, putting the reason of the law above status and power. This document also made it possible for the United States at that time, to liberate themselves from the English Crown.
1400 - 1776
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The name ''Haudenosaunee Confederacy'' means People of the long house and it's considered the oldest participatory democracy in the world. The Confederacy is made up of six nations: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas and Tuscora. The joining of the nations happened in order to achieve a common goal, to create harmony between all of them. It began with the Peacemaker being responsible for convincing the chiefs of each nation to join the Great League of Peace, and found the only government that is connected to a superior creator. This event contributed to classical liberalism because their constitution included the rights and freedom for every member of the community, including women and children. The Haudenosaunee served as an inspiration for Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson when writing the constitution of the United States. The principle of ''Individual Rights'' present in Liberalism, is connected to the Haudenosaunee's constitution which also guaranteed those rights for members of the six communities.
1400 - 1600
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The Renaissance was a period in Europe where arts, literature, economy and politics suffered a big change. During that period, society gained new perspectives on many topics, such as the idea of Humanism, where every achievement made by an individual should be recognized. This event contributed to classical liberalism by focusing on the idea of humans having rights, no matter who they were. The advances in science, philosophy, music, arts and literature. As well as during this time, some of the greatest thinkers of all time were created.
1500 - 1600
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Also called the Protestant Reformation, it was started by Martin Luther with the goal of creating change within the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther started the movement by sending his ninety-five theses to the Elector of Mainz. In those papers, there was mainly criticism against the church, regarding selling ''places in heaven'' to their members. Years after the Reformation began, countries decided to stay away from the Roman Catholic Church, who according to Martin Luther had become too powerful and has strayed away from its purpose. This event contributed to classical liberalism by encouraging people to challenge their beliefs about the church having so much power over society in political and economic aspects. This can be based on the "Rule of Law" principle, where the Church wasn't considered above the law anymore, just because it was an institution that preached the Bible. The principle also applied to the head members of the Church, who also believed they were above the law because they were chosen by God.
1650 - 1800
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Was also known as the Age of Reason, where philosophers had other ways of interpreting religion and monarchies. During this time, individualism was emphasized, and the idea of challenging strict religious views at that time. Throughout that period was also believed that every man had rights and equality was also emphasized. The Age of Enlightenment contributed to classical liberalism because it enforced the principles of "Rule of Law", "Individual Rights" and "Self-Interest." Because nobody should be above the law, every human should have rights and creating personal views about important topics was encouraged.
1701 - 1900
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The Industrial Revolution was a period where the rural societies in Europe and America became Industrial. Prior to the Revolution, products were manufactured in people's homes by hand, making it a long process. After the Revolution, factories were able to produce goods at a faster rate, with the use of machinery . This event was able to increase sales and exports because of the high volumes of goods produced, but it also sometimes meant poor working conditions inside factories and low wages. This event contributed to classical liberalism by enforcing the importance of ''Individual Rights" for workers in poor condition. As well as "Competition" and "Self-Interest" by promoting competition amongst sellers and the human need to be more successful.
1765 - 1783
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The American Revolution began when the Thirteen Colonies won against Great Britain, becoming independent from them and forming the United States of America. In the American Revolutionary War, the colonies had an alliance with France. This event contributed to classical liberalism by enforcing the principle of "Private Property" to a certain extent. In this case, the colonies believed they shouldn't belong to Great Britain. And the principle of "Individual Rights" since now the colonies were able to create their won constitutions, not having to abide to the British one.
1789 - 1799
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It was a time when France and its colonies rose against the monarchy, causing times of famine in the country and big conflicts. This revolution led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Economic inequality between social classes, principles of the Enlightenment age spreading and dissatisfaction with the monarchy were all factors that contributed to the Revolution. The French Revolution contributed to classical liberalism because it emphasized on the importance of individualism, the principles of "Individual Rights" and "Rule of Law." With the monarchy not controlling every aspect of the country, lower classes believed they should have the same rights as the individuals in higher social classes. The fall of the monarchy also meant nobody was above the law due to their political position.
1801 - 1900
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Social classes began to disappear and the class system, which is based solely on wealth, was introduced. This change contributes to more economic freedom and competition. This change contributed to classical liberalism by granting opportunities to lower classes to move to a higher class if they earned more money, no matter their background. It's connected to the principles of "Competition", "Economic Freedom" and "Self-Interest." The competitive instinct and the freedom of selling and buying, created the interest of becoming a higher class, only dependant on their wealth off an individual.