Lesson 3 What Historical Development Influenced Modern Ideas of Individual Rights?

Judeo-Christian Instead of believing in public morality, Judeo-Christians believed in private morality Private morality: the virtues of inner faith and obedience to God’s law EX: Biblical teachings, Ten Commandments Christians stressed the dignity and worth of each human being As Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, the Roman Emperor Constantine came to power Constantine relieved the Christians from persecution Christianity becomes official religion of Roman Empire Christianity is also the unifying social institution in Europe during the Middle Ages People looked religious leaders for protection

Feudalism

Renaissance and the Reformation Renaissance means “rebirth” A period marked by a revival of intellectual life that began in Italy around the fourteenth century in Europe People began to place more importance on the individual other than class or group In the city-states, people began to realize that they could move from one social class to the other Reformation was a religious movement People began to challenge the doctrines, traditions, and practices of the Roman Catholic Church Martin Luther, John Calvin break away from the Catholic church and create the Protestant sect of religion

Rise of the nation-state Rulers begin to expand their areas of control and form new and larger states The Peace of Westphalia marked the beginning of the nation-state People begin to think of themselves as citizens of a nation with public duties and rights

Capitalism Capitalism: an economic system in which the means of producing and distributing goods are privately owned and operated for profit in competitive markets Allowed people to choose their own occupations, to start their own businesses, and to buy and sell property