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' Liberalism'

Liberalism (which derives from the Latin word ‘liberalis’) is a political philosophy that was constructed on the profound concepts of liberty and equality. It consists of the belief that a government should reside over their subjects with fairness and equality. This ideology played a prominent role as the primary motivation for many revolutions and upheavals throughout the medieval world. Liberalism first erupted as a pronounced political drive during the Enlightenment when it became part of the beliefs of many respected philosophers. This way of thinking protested many of the common beliefs of the Western world such as; hereditary privilege, absolute monarchy, and the Divine Rights of Kings. Liberalism served as justification for many of the rebellious events that occurred throughout European history that threatened the reign of various monarchs. This set the precedent for countless revolutions to follow.

Liberalism in The French Revolution The purpose of the French Revolution remains to be a rigorous endeavor to overthrow a cruel and gripping regime that had been established decades before. This regime (the French government) was oppressing their citizens by instilling poverty, famine, and a lack of a voice in political and social decisions. Although revolutionaries sought a fair and equal government, their efforts to establish a more liberalistic regime ultimately proved futile. The French Revolution proved unsuccessful because it sanctioned the utilization of senseless and dehumanizing violence, particularly shown in the excessive use of the guillotine. John Locke - the philosopher often credited with founding liberalism - argues that only in the absence of violence can liberalism be effective when he says, "All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." Clearly, for a liberalistic society to prevail, its government must protect and value its citizens' health, liberty, and possessions. Of the many radical actions during the French Revolution, the March of Women on Versailles have shown to be the most effective. This march was a crucial part of the early stage of the revolution because of the fact that it symbolized a new balance of power in the French government.

'''Liberalism in the Haitian Revolution"" Of the countless revolutions that have transpired throughout history, the Haitian Revolution remains to be one of the most successful. This success was measured by the eventual uprising of a republic along with many diminutive victories toward the ongoing struggle with slavery. Of the many individuals who played a key part in the instillment of liberalism into government, General Toussaint Louverture was easily the preeminent being. When under his command, the rebel slaves successfully won many disputes which included the concession from the British and the expulsion the Spanish forces. This great man aided the rebels in earning their freedom and equality from a tightly-bound regime like the Haitian government. Though the Haitian Revolution is marked as one of the greatest liberalist victory in history, it was executed in a very clear radical manner. The Haitian Revolution was at its core, a reflection of the French Revolution in that it represents a failed attempt to implement liberalism into a government and society. The Haitian revolutionaries plunged the state into a war torn, bloodstained nation through the pursuit of a liberalistic union. With the outcomes of these famous and radical revolutions being a positive and a negative one, it can be concluded that violence and blood-shed must be present when on the pursuit of a liberalistic nation.

The Pursuit of Liberalism When John Locke unearthed the idea of a free and equal society for everyone, he made it apparent that he believed that the success of earning one's freedom through the means of a radical revolution or a rebellion will not come with long-term prosperity. However, once reexamined, it can be consummated that achieving ultimate freedom must be preceded by radical acts that display the demand of liberty in a respected union. This demand is exemplified in both the French and Haitian revolutions in many fashions including the March of The Women on Versailles and the Battle at Snake-Gully. The concept of liberalism is valid, however the resrictions proposed by John Locke about the longevity of the effects of a radical shift to a liberalist society is similar to the idea of a utopia, which many people believe is not possible.