Evolving ideas of freedom by different historical time frames - Essay Example

21 July Evolving Ideas of Freedom by Different Historical Time Frames Introduction That ideas change over time cannot be denied as their essence acquires new experience. Ideas of freedom are no exception: at different times and under the influence of numerous factors, ideas about freedom gradually evolved and its essence changed for better. It can’t be denied the main idea of freedom is to provide American citizens with full protection against discrimination and guarantee the integrity and intactness of their individual rights.

Ideas of freedom have no age; however, most of what is currently known about freedom in America dates back to the end of the 18th century, when Federalists and anti-Federalists were arguing about the relevance and validity of the main Constitutional provisions. From freedom as a complex combination of individual freedoms and rights to freedom as the full abolition of slavery, ideas of freedom in America gradually evolved to become the main guiding principle in the development of democracies in all parts of the world.

The beginnings of democracy in America were marked with a hot debate between Federalists and anti-Federalists on what it really meant to be free. The time of Washington and Monroe, that was also the time when the idea of freedom was still in its infancy, but the concept of individual freedoms and rights was slowly turning into the central ingredient of future democracy. Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution had to give Americans full protection of their individual rights, including the right to speak freely, the right to enjoy the benefits of free religious choice, and the right to be protected against unreasonable searches.

In the meantime, nothing was done to battle the issue of slavery: apparently, then political leaders were confident that freedom and slavery could continue walking hand in hand. At times of Lincoln and Buchanan, the idea of freedom was no longer limited to the issue of individual rights. Lincoln was among those who voted for the abolition of slavery, which had to become the culmination and triumph of democratic thinking in America. According to Lincoln, “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free” (Forte).

This idea of freedom would become the motto of democratic development in America for decades and centuries. As a result, from freedom as a complex combination of individual rights, ideas of freedom in America slowly evolved to the idea of no-slavery, which later turned into the guiding principle of democratic thinking in all parts of the world. Conclusion Ideas of freedom change over time. Every century it acquires different meaning and this meaning depends on the experience of this century. The idea of freedom means much for Americans as it carries the spirit of the nation.

In America, ideas of freedom slowly changed from freedom as a combination of individual rights and freedoms to freedom through abolition of slavery. No-slavery ideas have become the motto of democratic thinking in all parts of the world. This idea of freedom continues to guide political changes and decisions in America. Works Cited Forte, David. “Lincoln…or Buchanan?” Ashbrook Center, 2009. Web. 21 July 2011.