Expansion of Human Liberties Coursework Example

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Expansion of Human Liberties since 18th Century of Western Civilization
Human life has always since ancient times been believed to be inviolable, a concept strongly proposed and encouraged by various religions throughout the world. The idea of human liberties ground its stand on the ideology that people have a set of uninfringeable rights merely grounded on being human. Numerous studies conducted throughout history agree the onset of human right notion to be during the Renaissance humanism period during the early modern era. The civil wars and European religious conflicts during the seventeenth century in Europe is responsible for the rise of liberalism philosophical ideologies. Belief in human liberties became a major source of worry, particularly the intellectual culture in Europe in the 18th century, an age of Enlightenment. The human rights notions developed deep roots during the French and American Revolutions that transpired near the end of 18th century. And following the development of democracy throughout the 19th century, this advancement created a way for the start of universal suffrage in the 20th century. The aftermath of World War I and World War II resulted in the endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Advancements in human liberties are evident throughout history, and various elements are responsible for these developments. This paper analyses and discusses the factors that led to the development in human freedoms and how liberalism actions in particular centuries result in improved human liberties in coming times.

The regard and respect for other people existed earlier in some states such as Arab-Islamic world, China, India and Roman Christendom that made them greatest civilization during 15th and 16th centuries (Ishay, 64). Nevertheless, it is widely known that Europe initiated the revolution for human thoughts that later on spread to other countries throughout the globe. Europe adopted a more free method to universal morality that which extended under the ground-breaking burner of Enlightenment (Ishay, 64). Initially, the emergence of a secular universalism appeared as an attack against the political and intellectual structure of Roman Catholicism. According to Campbell’s study, philosophers a well as other scholars during the eighteenth century that were part of the Enlightenment revolution held high regard for reason over superstition and religion (62). More specifically, these intellectuals held high regard for learning and education over naive belief and ignorance evident among people. Campbell indicates that individual that embraced Enlightenment perceived religion as a way devised by those in power to control the public (61).
Enlightenment supporters also promoted humane treatment of the public, advocated for religious open-mindedness over fanaticism and prejudice as well as defended freedom of the press and free speech over expurgation (Campbell, 62). In other words, Enlightenment believers supposed there was room for improvement for human beings and societies on educational, common sense and reason grounds. Additionally, the intellectuals believed in the existence of an easily accessible natural law by people who could perform as a manual for all human operations. Campbell points out that an increasing number of intellectuals in Europe discarded religion beliefs including Christianity which was dominant at the time as well as confronted the power of Christian denominations (62). Additionally, Campbell alleges that Christian churches were behind the shaping of history in previous centuries as well as the overall civilization in Europe (62).
Protestant Reformation and Renaissance battle against the strong political and intellectual structure of Roman Catholic opened up room for humanism thoughts. Instead of the docile reliance on revealed information, Christian moral took a turn towards embracing of religious autonomy as well as the general right of individual opinion (Ishay, 64). Additionally, Ishay suggests that feudal fascism whose origin was on religious motivations afterward gave in to the secular theory of the nation-state which was validated by individual and natural rights (64). Ishay adds that the disputed monopolistic economy yielded to mercantilism which later developed to free markets on the grounds of personal rights to exclusive possession (64). Now, laws based off the rights of people to life confronted an ancient religious custom that had previously engaged in and approved vicious and brutal murders against defendants. It was evident that the spread and deepening roots of human liberties insisted on justice systems to conform to the expansively advocated standards of human value and respect and right.
These first transformations during the eighteenth century evidently advanced to a great liberal communication concerning human freedom and these connections are responsible for shaping modern philosophy. Therefore, it would be correct to assert that modern liberal perspective originated in Europe following religious and opinion freedom conflicts that started with the Reformation. These battles set the foundation for ensuing assertions for the common human right to possessions, life, as well as promotion for equal distribution of wealth among all people. French thinkers promoted tolerance of others faults which advanced the right to opinion and communication, a law identified as the most fundamental law of nature (Ishay, 81). The American Revolution resulted in more freedom for the church without supervision from the country as well as overall freedom of educational and ethical activities (Ishay, 81). In contrast, the revolutionary government of France imposed stricter and inhibited laws against the churches leading to the deepening of the French Revolution. In retaliation, Ishay indicates that the French priests allied with royalists and other parties that countered these revolutions which resulted in the closure of churches and establishment of a goddess in one of the country’s cathedrals (83).
In spite of numerous hindrances in subsequent centuries following the French Revolution, it is evident that the battle for opinion and religious liberties eventually bore fruits envisioned by the forefathers. More specifically, these persistent fights are what resulted in the endorsement and approval of human rights in the twentieth century. Some legal proclamations of these freedoms involve the United Nations Declaration of Human rights endorsed in 1949 (Ishay, 84). The American Convention on Human rights became authorized in 1969 (Ishay, 84). These bills were as a result of liberty conflicts throughout history. Ball et al. suggest that the 1776 U.S. Declaration of Independence, the British Bill of Rights in 1689 as well as the 1789 French Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen acted as models utilized by states across the world to shape their individual freedom (n.p).
It is fundamental noting that it was not until the past century that women started fighting for their rights not only as humans but also encouraged equal opportunities among different genders. Additionally, the struggles for human rights did not represent individuals considered to be of different ethnic backgrounds or race. In fact, women, Blacks and other groups of people deemed to be minorities were not equally represented in a male and White dominated the world. Campbell points out how slavery against African by western societies that started in the seventeenth century increased significantly during the eighteenth century (72). Coincidentally, this period is the same described to have recorded increased conflicts against religious fascism. Fights for human liberties was massive, yet it appears the same people that advocated for rights ignored that of enslaved African Americans and mistreatment of Native Americans and Indian Americans. Nevertheless, the modern world can celebrate from the fruits of many activists who fought to ensure equality for all irrespective f one’s gender, age, race, or ethnic background. The British endorsement of the National Convention in 1794 which eradicated slavery marked the beginning of the end of slavery, a system that took long before reaching full implementation (Ishay, 113). Additionally, the United States Congress signed a law that prohibited slave importation from Africa although the act continued for decades before full implementation of the law b 1860. Other human liberties sanctions highlighted by Ishay involve the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights established in 1986 (84).
Also, following increased protests by women to abolish discrimination against them, it resulted in the 1869 formation of the National Women Suffrage Association. Additionally, A bill was passed in 1958, the Conventions for Equal Opportunities and Occupation. Renowned activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. advocated against prejudice directed to Blacks and started the Poor People’s Campaign in the 1960s. Rosa Parks was another African American activist that promoted equality for all humans in America where some places and activities were only reserved for Whites.
In conclusion, the history of human freedoms dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries although some communities such as India and China believed in respect for all humanity long before the western influence. Religious disagreements are responsible for the rise of these revolutions and retaliation efforts by royalists and priests who supported communism. Human rights riots began in Europe and spread to other regions around the world. Numerous engagements directed at the promotion of these liberties through centuries were evidently not futile since the majority of freedom exercises enjoyed in the modern world are direct results of previous battles.
Works Cited
Ball, Terrance et al. Liberalism. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2009.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/liberalismCampbell, Kenneth. “Western Civilization: A Global and Comparative Approach.” Routledge,
2015.
Ishay, Micheline. “The History of Human Rights: From Ancient Times to the Globalization Era.”
University of California, 2004.