Beginnings of Universal Rights

The Revolutions of European governments in the 1800’s sparked the idea of liberty and equality for all (men). This notion of universal rights and an idea of a perfect nation were becoming more widespread. After these political revolutions, came the Industrial revolution, which inevitably produced Imperialism. The world was now much smaller. Trade increased outside of Europe because of railroads and steam engines, which made it possible for long distance trade to occur. This was how leading nations in Europe were able to take control of other countries’ society, governments and ultimately their resources. Also, a gap was created between the industrialized, developed and “civilized” and the not. Thus creating the meaning of the Third World. Whether or not leaders in Europe actually wanted to help out these countries by “civilizing them” is somewhat debatable but it can be inferred that Imperialism occurred and prolonged because of the monetary and political gains. Compared to earlier instances of “Imperialism” such as the Crusades, Kings instead blatantly used religion as their excuse, and had no empathy for the others. So the fact that now political leaders were even using the idea of aiding these other nations as an excuse, shows the results of the years prior and how people were now living in a world that (somewhat) believed in universal rights.