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509 BCE
The Roman Republic
After the Citizens of Rome overthrew the Etruscan Kings, they created the Roman Republic. The common people, the Plebians, elected Patricians, the wealthy upperclassmen, to lead them. Patricians couldn't marry Plebians, and Plebian's couldn't get any positions in the Government. Tribunes were elected to preserve the Plebians' rights, but they did a poor job. This led to unrest, and instability in Rome. This in turn led to a hundred years of civil war. -
701
The Scandinavian "Thing"
This assembly, called a thing, was a gathering of the free tribesmen to vote on new and old laws and rules of the community. These meetings took place whilst these Scandinavian people had no written language, so these events were only verbally done. The preexisting laws being reaffirmed were presented by experts on the matter of those laws. There was also a meeting called an all-thing, in which multiple tribes came together to vote on laws they would all follow. -
1001
Communes in Italy
Small towns in Italy established simple Democracies in which certain Citizens of that town were able to vote on and exercise laws they agreed upon. The people in these communities promised each other mutual protection, and assistance. There is no true structure defined as a Commune, because each town had its own variation. Regardless, many Communes were so strong they survived to the Renaissance Era, though, by this time, most had fallen to a single ruler. -
1086
Manors of the Middle Ages
Manors were countryside Estates typically run by a Lord, and farmed by workers. There were two different types, free, and villein workers. The freeman workers essentially rented property from the Lord in exchange for labor, while the villein workers worked for the right to use the Lord's lands and resources as his own. Land was technically owned by the King, and Manors were given to knights to ensure they would fight for the king. The knights offered their workers protection also. -
1201
Communes Sweep Europe
Communes sprang up in Germany (in the Alps), France,and all throughout Europe. Though these Communes were self-governed, they were not Democracies.Oligarchy was the most common for of Government in these Communes. Typically, there was a constant struggle for control in these towns, resulting in the most powerful citizens monopolizing power. Nonetheless, these communities could be found all throughout Europe for over a hundred years. -
Jun 15, 1215
The Creation of the Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was officially signed and put into effect by King John of England. He signed the document at the insistance of his nobles, who demanded these rights in exchange for the assurance that they would defend the king should war come to England. The document improved the judicial system, taking power away from the king. This undermining of the monarchy shifted a bit more power to the people.The Magna Carta became a symbol of Liberty in the battle against oppression. -
1240
The beginning of Parliament in England
The term, "Parliament," was first used in an official English document by King Henry III in reference to a government meeting the next January. The Parliament of England we think of today came to be over over a hundred years worth of modifications, starting in about 1240. Soon, the Parliament was a gathering of the King's most favored Nobles, Lords, and Knights. It was a council that helped fund the kingdom itself, a bank for the King to borrow money from. -
Apr 10, 1302
Estates General in France
The Estates General was an assembly of the Three Estates. These Estates were the representatives of the Clergy, of the Nobility, and of the people. They were a council of sorts, called upon in times of need to advise and assist the king. At first, the kings were reluctant to use them, because they were a sign of the Monarchy's declining power. However, everyone but the kings demanded their existence, because they were the only time anyone could openly dispute the king. -
The English Civil Wars
King Charles I of England disbanded Parliament during the early 1930s, much to the anger of the people and nobles alike. However, in Ireland, a civil war broke out, threatening England. Charles called Parliament together for assistance, but the Nobles, still angry, first tried to discuss 10-year-old problems. Furious, Charles disbanded Parliament after only three weeks.Thus,the English army defending them from Ireland was small and unorganized.As a result, Charles lost the war. -
The signing of the U.S. Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed under the Presidency of George Washington in 1787. In total, there have been 27 Constitutional Amendments, including the Bill of Rights. Put into effect in 1791, the Bill of Rights granted people the most basic of human rights, such as freedom of speech and religion. In the beginning, the Constitution mentioned no such -
Universal Suffrage
Universal Suffrage was the granting of the right to vote to anyone regardless of personal circumstances or characteristics. It was first granted in France to all male citizens after the French Revolution, but before the political upheaval in France had settled.. It was introduced in France and Switzerland in 1848. Many countries followed throughout the next hundred years, eventually leading to true Universal Suffrage, granted to women and men alike. -
SOURCES
Alphahistory.com, The Estates General. Dodd, Giwyl. Bbc.co.uk, The Birth of Parliament. Editors of The Encyclopeadia Britannica, Britannica.com, Estates General. Editors of The Encyclopeadia Britannica, Britannica.com, Communes. History.com Staff, History.com, The US Constitution. History.com Staff, History.com, The French Revolution. Manco, Jean. Buildinghistory.org, medieval manors and their records, Last edited 30-12-2013.