The Universal Declaration of Human Rights could potentially be the single most important document created during the twentieth century. Although Mrs. Roosevelt and several other people played a significant role in its creation, this essential document was established by the key beliefs and ideas flowing from a number of significant diplomats all over the globe. While the influences of the Age of Enlightenment are visible even in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the events of the 1930's and 40's such as the Holocaust, The Rape of Nanking, and African American Slavery were really instrumental in the creation of the document. The Age of Enlightenment, for instance, was an intellectual and scientific movement in 18th century Europe characterized
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The Rape of Nanking, for example, took place over the course of several weeks in December of 1937. In this tragic event, thousands of Chinese civilians were killed and raped by Japanese soldiers. This was obviously a horrendous act, and is referenced within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 5 sticks out in particular, stating that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” This directly relates to the Rape of Nanking, noting that the actions that took place were crossing the line within their treatment of other humans. Another Article that applies to this event in several aspects is Article 1; In the second portion of the article, it states that all humans should act towards each other in a spirit of brotherhood. Again within this article place, the rape of civilians, or anybody for that matter, is noted as …show more content…
This act of racial superiority caused harsh living conditions, little or no pay, and sometimes resulted in death. The way the slaves were treated and abused solely off of race became the source of many important articles found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 1, for example, goes into the belief that all humans are born equal and free in dignity and rights, and should not be treated unfairly. This directly relates to slavery, which gives a clear and concise example of what should not take place. Article 5 also specifically responds to Slavery, as they treated the African Americans in a degrading and unfair way. They also were forced to work and stay within the “master's” estate, which also goes against the key concept of liberty in article 3. Many of these articles apply to slavery, which give a specific example of what should not occur in relation to human
The Rape of Nanking, for example, took place over the course of several weeks in December of 1937. In this tragic event, thousands of Chinese civilians were killed and raped by Japanese soldiers. This was obviously a horrendous act, and is referenced within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 5 sticks out in particular, stating that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” This directly relates to the Rape of Nanking, noting that the actions that took place were crossing the line within their treatment of other humans. Another Article that applies to this event in several aspects is Article 1; In the second portion of the article, it states that all humans should act towards each other in a spirit of brotherhood. Again within this article place, the rape of civilians, or anybody for that matter, is noted as …show more content…
This act of racial superiority caused harsh living conditions, little or no pay, and sometimes resulted in death. The way the slaves were treated and abused solely off of race became the source of many important articles found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 1, for example, goes into the belief that all humans are born equal and free in dignity and rights, and should not be treated unfairly. This directly relates to slavery, which gives a clear and concise example of what should not take place. Article 5 also specifically responds to Slavery, as they treated the African Americans in a degrading and unfair way. They also were forced to work and stay within the “master's” estate, which also goes against the key concept of liberty in article 3. Many of these articles apply to slavery, which give a specific example of what should not occur in relation to human