How Classic Liberalism Began

1. How Classic Liberalism Began By: Carli Hildebrand & Brittany Jordan

2. Enlightenment Thinkers and Classical Liberalism • People became influenced by the writings of the physiocrats. • Physiocrats: Group of enlightenment thinkers in France who critiqued the economics of mercantilism. • Enlightenment thinkers influenced the lower class by introducing; human reason, human initiative, and individual worth.

3. Laissez-faire • In English Laissez-faire translates to “Leave people alone to do as they wish.” • It was definitive of capitalism; referring to low government involvement in the economy. • Individual initiative and achievements were deemed more productive than government action.

4. Lassiez-Faire and Classical Liberalism • Classical Liberalism incorporated the lassiez-faire style of government, they believed that society should be guided by the invisible hand of the free market to maximize personal and economic fulfillment.

5. Industrialization • Transformation from an agricultural and mercantile society to a modern industrial one. • A time when people began to move from rural to urban areas in search of employment. • Cities became crowded and unsanitary. • Children were forced in unsuitable working conditions to provide money for their struggling families. • Capitalists owned the factories and used the poor only for profit.

6. Industrialization and Classical Liberalism • Classical liberalism was the initiative behind individuals to make profit on their own. During the Industrial Revolution capitalists were motivated by the ideals of classical liberalism to a new extreme. Poor people came to the realization that making money on their own was unrealistic and unattainable.

7. Class System • This was a time where there was a continuous rising upper class, while the lower class sunk deeper into poverty. • The divide between the two became increasingly bigger, giving the upper class more power and authority over the lower class.

8. Class System and Classical Liberalism • Classical liberalist ideals put into peoples minds that individuals were responsible for earning their own living and achieving goals on their own.

9. Limited Government • The idea the the economy will support itself without government intervention. • As a result the market will be self-sufficient.

10. Limited Government and Classical Liberalism • Limited government defines classical liberalism in a way that there was constitutional limits on government. • In reaction to mercantilism, this was the response in hope that there would be success in a self-regulating market.

11. Capitalist Thinkers • Wanted limited government, they thought government intervention would corrupt society. • All wanted basic human rights and freedoms • Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo and J.S Mill

12. Capitalist Thinkers and Classical Liberalism • All the capitalist thinkers wanted less government involvement, which is one of the four main points of classical liberalism; along with one of basic human rights and freedoms.

13. A Response to Classical Liberalism: Luddism

14. Luddites • A repercussion of the industrial revolution, where skilled workers started being replaced by machinery in the early. • Leading to a protest movement started by Ned Ludd, the first person to destroy industrial machinery in 1779. • Formed an Army of Red Dressers and destroyed over two hundred machines in the year 1811 • The first attacks occurred in Nottingham which began to catch on and began a movement called luddism. • The government responded by making machine breaking a capital offence, being punishable by death. • The government then ordered 12,000 troops into areas where luddites were active. • The government didn't’t suppress the movement till 1817, most luddites were killed or captured.