Milestones of Liberalism

The Athenians used to have a distinct political hierarchy. This consisted of the Stocrats (who had a monopoly on the other classes), the middle-class, and the working working class (who consisted of mainly the army).

To begin the ‘Ancient Greek Democracy’, the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a new form of politics which can be defined as a democracy. The Athenians called this system a “demokratia” which means “rule by people”.

The new class changes allowed for Athenians to vote based on their beliefs. The new found freedom gave each individual equality and ultimately abolished the political distinctions between each class.

Many people believe this to be one of history’s first implementation of a democracy in a society.

The Magna Carta is a manuscript or Charter written by King John. Magna Carta is Medieval Latin for “Great Charter of Liberties”. This charter was created as a peace treaty between the King and the rebel barons im England.

The Magna Carta defines laws and rights. Some of which are summarized as everyone is subject to the law (no man is above the law, the guaranteed rights of individuals, the right to justice, and the right to fair trial.

These principles helped influence tolerance and equality in England, which ultimately aided them to build their country as a democracy.

The Renaissance (or re-birth) was the reconstruction and modernization of France. The reason of this event was because Europe wanted to leave their economic depression and experience financial growth.

During this time many philosophers questioned the importance of the Roman Catholic Church, who ruled the Country politically, and contributed to the creation of the concept of humanism.

Humanism during the Renaissance helped men abolish the feudal structures in France (those that were imposed by the religious orthodox). Instead of Frances citizens having a religious outlook, they began to have a more open outlook on life with an intellectual source of knowledge.

From this, the Renaissance underlined the importance of city-states, national languages, new spiritual and scholar knowledge, and ultimately destroyed the old feudal system to create a less religiously centred government.

The Reformation was a political, religious, intellectual, and cultural rebirth where many reformers questioned religious dominance.

Martin Luther (Germany), John Calvin (Switzerland), and Henry VIII (England) all expressed the dislike for the distribution of power done by the church.

The changes they imposed allowed for new religious freedoms. This ,sadly, was the cause of various wars and persecutions. Regardless, this also led to a more intellectual outlook on governmental control while proceeding into a more liberal and democratic world.

The Huadenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois, or The Six Nations) were a group consisting of The Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and The Mowhawk.

The Confederacy created the “Great Peace of Law” which established the division of powers among the government, freedom of speech, female equality (inclusion of women), freedom of religion, and equal political participation (a democracy).

The group used its systems for choosing leaders ritually. This process influenced various colonial to implement the Iroquois ‘ ways into their own political ways.

The Haudenosaunee Confederation was one of the worlds oldest participating democracy groups with it proceeding into the 21st century.

The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement within Europe, and later North America. This movement helped both the French and American Revolutions take place.

Because philosophy began to be sceptical of religion and its power over the people, philosophers involved in this movement centred their beliefs around reason, liberty, and the scientific method. These ideologies pursued freedom of religion, which is widely believed in when analyzing democracy and liberalism.

The industrial revolution began in Britain and continued into other countries such as America. It allowed for many societies to become more industrialized and urban. Many inventions came about during this time periods like electricity, the trans-continental railroad and the cotton gin. All these creations contributed immensely to the modernization of the changing society.

In 1776 a Scottish man named Adam Smith (also called the founder of modern economics) found a way for economics to become more efficient. He contributed by introducing a new economic system based on free enterprise, private ownership (in the concept of production), and lack of government involvement.

Adam Smiths’ concepts contributed to liberalization by incorporating ideas of what we call capitalism.

The American Revolution was a colonial war involving thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies. The colonial conflict proceeded the formation and independence of various countries that used to be British Colonies, specifically the United Stated of America.

When The U.S.A gained freedom from Great Britain they were presented with new political and social distinctions that were different from when they were controlled by Britain.

An important milestone included the “Bill of Rights” which gave the newly governed country the right for democracy. Many events followed the Bill of Rights such as increased political involvement, legal institutionalization of region, and a new tolerance of population.

Now, the Bill of Rights helps define the United States as a democratic country and gives its citizens many freedoms and equality rights.

The French Revolution was the destruction of Frances political system to form a new platform of belief and government.

Upon King Louis XVIs death, there was an uproar which ultimately led to the the abolition of their current monarchy as well as the historical storming of Bastille. Proceeding the storming of Bastille (a prison), Napoleon overthrew the revolutionary government and then made himself as the leader of the new government, which he called ‘The French Consulate”. These events contributed to a more democratic ideology.

These events factored to the destruction of feudalism the monarchy in France. Ultimately, the time period pursued the establishment of civil equality in France, and the formation of France’s Republic.

Specifically in England, the class structure in the 19th century segregated The aristocrats (upper class), the middle class, and the lower class. These hierarchy changes led to the originals to be completely destroyed. Instead of distinction between the classes, the individuals were valued equally at birth- creating created rights and freedoms within England.

This change encouraged economic change, a more equal economy. Each individual was encouraged to take different opportunities allowing them to become wealthier and ultimately earning a higher economic class.