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

2. 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

3. Feudalism

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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