Liberalism vs. Conservatism(1800's)
Connor Tramel, Connor Salerno, Justin Lee, 7th Period
Definition
Conservatism- A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability. Dislikes many changes or new ideas.
Liberalism- A political philosophy based largely on Enlightenment principles that held that people should be as free as possible from government restraint and that civil liberties should be protected.
Causes
Liberalism-
Liberalism first became a distinct political movement during the Age of Enlightenment, when it became popular among philosophers in the Western world. The 17th-century philosopher John Locke is often credited with finding liberalism as a distinct tradition. Locke argued that each man has a natural right to life, liberty and property, while adding that governments must not violate these rights based on the social contract. The French Revolution used liberal philosophy to justify the armed overthrow of what they saw as tyrannical rule. Liberalism started to spread rapidly even after the French Revolution. The 19th century saw liberal governments established in nations across Europe, South America, and North America.
Conservatism-
Conservatism first established the use of the term in a political context originated from a french writer in 1818, to take away the policies of the French Revolution. There is no single set of policies that are universally regarded as conservative, because the meaning of conservatism depends on what is considered traditional in a given place and time. The conservatives from different parts of the world are each upholding their respective traditions and may disagree on a wide range of issues.