in 1789 the french revolution made an important country's government ruled by the choices of the people for the first time after the middle ages (some cities and small countries were democracies in the middle ages). there were many problems and france went back to the old way soon after, but would be ready for democracy in 1870's. in england, many people got to vote after the reform act in 1832. the united states broke away from england in 1776-1783, but was not an important country at that time.