Impact Of Enlightenment On The French Revolution - 878 Words

I agree that the Enlightenment was force for positive change in society. The Enlightenment was one was the most important intellectual movements in History, as it dominated and influenced the way people thought in Europe in the late 17th and 18th centuries. We will look at how it ultimately influenced the American and French Revolution which is still strongly governed by these ideas and principles today. The Age of Enlightenment was a European movement emphasizing reasoning and individualism rather than tradition. Different factors had a part to play in starting and even propelling ‘the Age of Enlightenment’, such as the rule of the Church and State and the power struggle between them, as well as the Western discovery of new societies†¦show more content†¦Rousseau differed with Locke about the role of the individual in relation to the state, with Rousseau emphasizing the importance of the governed being involved in politics Enlightened thinkers believed that when people consent to be governed, it is with the implicit expectation that their government will act in the name of their common good. Failing that obligation means the people have the right to overthrow their government and install one that will successfully look out for their best interests. All of this gave way to a cultural revolution that promoted new ideas and values concerning philosophical, economic and political debates. Growing questions of the absolute authority of monarchy and church planted the seeds for a revolution that focused on individualism, freedom, self-determination and other areas of change. Democracy and equality were of great importance to the thinkers of the Enlightenment who were dissatisfied with the greediness and the prestige of the aristocratic social tier. Although the Enlightenment allowed for the birth of democracy, it was in absolutist state that its impact was first felt. We see how the Enlightenment had a positive impact in Prussia under Frederick ll who become known as an ‘enlightened despot’1. He drew upon Enlightenment philosophy to reform the Prussian state, playing an active role in attempting to improve the lives of his people by reforming the legal system, the government and advocating religious tolerance. NoShow MoreRelatedImpact Of The Enlightenment And The French Revolution1015 Words   |  5 Pagesenemy, the Kingdom of Great Britain. There were two wars, The Revolutionay War, and The French Revolution. Both of these wars were influenced by the enlightenment, but what were the philosophies of each war, and what happened at the end of them? The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a period of time both the 13 British Colonies and the French used as inspiration in their Revolutions. The Americans, such as Thomas Jefferson drew inspiration from John Locke, who believedRead MoreImpact Of Enlightenment Ideas On The French Revolution844 Words   |  4 Pages How Enlightenment Ideas Impacted the French Revolution? Towards the end of the 18th century, almost all of Europe had gone through a period called the Enlightenment. Enlightenment thinkers, and philosophers, promoted reason and human freedom over tradition and religion. France had one of the bloodiest Enlightenment periods in history because they used the ideas of John Lockes Natural Rights, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract, and Voltaire (Franà §ois-Marie Arouet) teaching of FreedomRead MoreEnlightenment During The French Revolution1423 Words   |  6 Pages Enlightenment during The French Revolution: Two of the Greatest Eras Working Together Without Knowing Molly Dauk Honors World History Mrs. Bartosik May 5, 2017 The Enlightenment and the French Revolution, two of the most enriched periods of history, probably never to be left out of the history books. The French Revolution was influenced greatly by the Age of Reason. The Enlightenment period took place over about three-hundred years, whereas the French Revolution took place for onlyRead MoreTo What Extent Was The Enlightenment The Main Driving Force Behind The American And French Revolutions?1479 Words   |  6 Pagesfocuses on the causes of Atlantic Revolutions and will explore the question: To what extent was the Enlightenment the main driving force behind the American and French Revolutions? The years 1685 to 1815 (Strayer, 2011) will be the focus of this investigation to allow for an analysis of the Enlightenment ideas’ impact the need for governmental change in the American colonies and France during the eighteenth century, as well as their governmental influences post-revolutions. †¯ The first source whichRead MoreFrench Revolution - Montesquieu Voltaire844 Words   |  4 PagesFrench Revolution: The Influences When the Enlightenment occurred, it established some modern-day ideals such as religious toleration, separation of powers, and natural rights. These Enlightened principles eventually spread throughout France, causing the people to question the current state of their society, and ultimately causing the French Revolution. Montesquieu and Voltaire were two very major Enlightenment figures whose beliefs had a huge impact on the French Revolution. The ever-growingRead MoreThe Enlightenment s Influence On The French Revolution885 Words   |  4 PagesMaheera Syed The Enlightenment’s Influence on the French Revolution No one could have imagined the impact that the Enlightenment would have and its long-lasting effect. The Enlightenment and its ideas became so widespread that they did not only affect France, but many other countries also. The French Revolution was directly inspired and influenced by the Enlightenment. Revolutionaries in France built their cause around the ideals of the Age of Reason. Reason, reform and modernity took hold mainlyRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Enlightenment1471 Words   |  6 Pageshands of the people. Through bloodshed, the radical actions of the French Revolution sparked by philosophies of Enlightenment, will impact the future. Historical figures such as Robespierre heading the Great Assembly will drive change in culture through the revolution, in hopes of achieving enlightened societies. The 18th century marks the beginning of modern history. The French revolution playing a role in furthering Enlightenment, will led to a chain of events that will change the course of theRead MoreLiberalism in French Revolution Through Enlightenment1593 Words   |  7 PagesTHE LIBERAL REVOLUTION -UNDER THE IDEA OF ENLIGHTENMENT Dare to know! Have courage to use your own reason!-Kant Contents ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: 3 FRENCH SOCIETY: 3 THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION: 3 CRITICISM ON THE IDEA OF LIBERALISM: 4 CONCLUSION 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: â€Å"Enlightenment is mans emergence from his self-imposed nonage†¦ Sapere Aude! Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own understanding is therefore the motto of the EnlightenmentRead MoreOverview of The Enlightenment Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesThe Enlightenment was a period of history throughout the mid-decades of the seventeenth century and during the course of the eighteenth century, in which intense revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics occurred. This part of history was important because it was an enormous departure from the Middle Ages. Seldom before and after this time, did the Church have as much power as it did during the Enlightenment. There were three main eras of the Enlightenment: The Early EnlightenmentRead MoreRousseaus Impact On The French Revolution1636 Words   |  7 PagesThe ideas of Enlightenment philosophers rippled throughout the globe, however, they seemed to have the most interesting effect on France. Jean-Jacques Rous seau was a major contributor to Frances political and social structure post-French revolution. These ideas weren’t the only triggers for the French Revolution. A combination of strangling taxes, economic disparity, and an impotent ruler led to the development of an intense need for reform in France. â€Å"France spent an enormous amount of money during