Levellers

The Levellers were a political movement during the English Civil War in the 1640s, advocating for democratic reforms and social equality. They sought to expand voting rights, promote religious tolerance, and implement governmental changes to ensure that common people had a voice. The movement emphasized principles like natural rights and popular sovereignty, challenging the authority of the monarchy. Key figures included John Lilburne and Richard Overton, whose ideas influenced later democratic principles and movements, laying groundwork for modern concepts of civil rights and democracy. Their legacy highlights the struggle for political representation and social justice.