How Classic Liberalism Began

By: Carli Hildebrand & Brittany Jordan

Enlightenment Thinkers and Classical LiberalismPeople 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.

Laissez-faireIn 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Limited Government The idea the the economy will support itself

without government intervention. As a result the market will be self-

sufficient.

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.

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

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.

A Response to Classical Liberalism: Luddism

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.