Changes

In the 19th century the concept spread rapidly through Europe and the colonial empires.  Prime Minister [[William Gladstone]], based British foreign policy in the late 19th century on opposition to violations of human rights, especially in the [[Ottoman Empire]].

In the 19th century the concept spread rapidly through Europe and the colonial empires.  Prime Minister [[William Gladstone]], based British foreign policy in the late 19th century on opposition to violations of human rights, especially in the [[Ottoman Empire]].

==American History==

==American History==

The [[Declaration of Independence]] of the United States in 1776 says that people are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  

The [[Declaration of Independence]] of the United States in 1776 proclaimed that all people are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  

The American [[Bill of Rights]] of 1789 was based on the [{English Bill of Rights]] of 1689.  

The American [[Bill of Rights]] of 1789 was based on the [{English Bill of Rights]] of 1689.  

[[Georgia Washington]] in his 1796 [[Farewell Address]] warned against foreign alliances and suggested the American mission to bring liberty to the world would be best served by avoiding wars, perfecting [[republicanism]] at home, and becoming a model for the world.  Indeed there were no foreign entanglements until 1917.

[[George Washington]] in his 1796 [[Farewell Address]] warned against foreign alliances and suggested the American mission to bring liberty to the world would be best served by avoiding wars, perfecting [[republicanism]] at home, and becoming a model for the world.  Indeed there were no foreign entanglements until 1917.

There was a strong sense--which continues to this day--that a major American mission is to spread democracy in the world, with the belief that democratic governments will avoid abuses of human rights.

There was a strong sense--which continues to this day--that a major American mission is to spread democracy in the world, with the belief that democratic governments will avoid abuses of human rights.

Meanwhile, Wilson was outraged at the extreme violations of human rights and democracy in Mexico, and intervened in the civil war raging there. The intervention ended in 1916 as the greater crisis of German threats was at hand.

Meanwhile, Wilson was outraged at the extreme violations of human rights and democracy in Mexico, and intervened in the civil war raging there. The intervention ended in 1916 as the greater crisis of German threats was at hand.

Promoting [[Wilsonianism]] as the expression of American idealism in world affairs, especially regarding democracy and human rights<ref> the Term "human rights" was not commonly used before 1945.</ref>, Wilson promulgated the idealistic principles of the [[Fourteen Points]], and at the [[Versailles Conference]] in 1919 he exerted enormous influence to lead the world to democracy and a [[League of nations]] that would prevent wars and promote democracy.  He succeeded in part, and the LEague was created, but the U.S. Senate rejected the League and the U.S. never joined.  

Promoting [[Wilsonianism]] as the expression of American idealism in world affairs, especially regarding democracy and human rights<ref> the Term "human rights" was not commonly used before 1945.</ref>, Wilson promulgated the idealistic principles of the [[Fourteen Points]], and at the [[Versailles Conference]] in 1919 he exerted enormous influence to lead the world to democracy and a [[League of nations]] that would prevent wars and promote democracy.  He succeeded in part, and the LEague was created, but the U.S. Senate rejected the League and the U.S. never joined.

 

==Post World War II==

==Post World War II==

In the 20th century, secular concepts of human rights proliferated: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various UN conferences' declarations on the environment, economic development, AIDS, and other topics; and the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.  

In the 20th century, secular concepts of human rights proliferated: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various UN conferences' declarations on the environment, economic development, AIDS, and other topics; and the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.