Liberalism

__ **Liberalism**  __ //Liberalism- Political idea that promotes the liberty (freedom) of an individual.// The idea of liberalism developed in Europe, Britain and the US during the 27th and 18th century. During this time Europe was ruled by absolute monarchs (meaning that the monarch had absolute rule to his land) and ordinary citizens did not have any political rights and had no say in their government. Liberals wanted political reform by establishing the individuals’ rights to be free of the absolute monarch and have political rights and a say in how the country was governed. They also stressed for the need for constitutions that would ensure that a government was responsible for and accountable to its citizens and the need for a representative parliament. This parliament was to be chosen by a free/ secret vote. They also saw it necessary to have such basic freedoms as:  ¬  Freedom of speech- is being able to speak freely  ¬  Freedom of the press - is the guarantee by a government of free public press  ¬    Freedom of religion- an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance  ¬  Legal protection from arbitrary arrest  ¬  Equality of rights- equal oppurtunities  ¬  Freedom of movement- mobility rights or the right to travel  ¬  To conduct business  ¬  Accumulate property without restraint This idea of liberalism was first rose in the English revolution of 1688 however then was destroyed by the absolute monarchy but the rose again in the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789. By 1815, liberalism had established itself to a degree in Britain, the United States and to some extent in Europe. The states of Europe generally remained absolute monarchies and opposed any development of political liberalism within the states.