The Enlightenment was a period in history throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth century when the philosophes brought new ideas of science, philosophy, society, and politics. Philosophes were the intellectuals of the Enlightenment who gave reason to the study of many areas of learning. John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft all focused on one key concept, though - and that is freedom. More distinctly, these philosophes believed that society would change for the better if they reformed the government, religious toleration, and equality for all. Born in the United Kingdom and in France, both John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu believed that the government restricted the citizens from doing what they wanted.
Most political decisions were taken by the king that the French population had no say in. Also, the Enlightenment philosophers spread ideas for change. These critics of society shared ideas against the church, government, taxes, etc. People all over began to learn about these ideas and became educated about the possible changes that could be
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that reached its peak in the mid-1700s when many philosophers began reevaluating their past ways of thinking. One of the most powerful countries at the time was France. Even though the rest of the world praised their robust trading system and culture, they still faced significant problems within the government such as high taxes towards only certain groups of the population. These effects led to the revolution where thousands of poorer French citizens fought for radical change in the feudal system. Modern Enlightenment ideas in Europe had a huge influence on the French Revolution, especially leading up to it.
Eighteenth century Europe was a time of upheaval most specifically referring to aspects of intellectual, social and political revolutions. This time is commonly referred to as the Age of the Enlightenment largely because revolutionary ideas and discoveries made in the eighteenth century are still widely accepted and used today. During this time authority was no longer seen as the absolute source of information. People explored new ideas, ways of government and treatment of people. The French belief system was based mainly around abiding to their faith.
The European Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Reason) took place before 1750 and was shaped by the principles of the Scientific Revolution that embraced human reason. Enlightenment thinkers believed that principles of reason and nature should be applied to the governance of a country (popular sovereignty), people’s natural rights, social contract, and societal structure. These theorists of the Enlightenment challenged accepted and traditional thinking (monarchial governments, aristocratic power) and established politics and society based on the laws of reason and nature. Nevertheless, these Enlightenment ideas motivated and influenced feminist movements and the Atlantic Revolutions. Although conservatives sought to preserve the traditional
During the Enlightenment new ideas were created that greatly impacted society. The new ideas created during the Enlightenment impacted society so much that many of the ideas were utilized when forming the government of the United States. Three European men Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau each had their own unique views of what would be best for society. Each philosopher had ideas that would make today 's society more ideal and with hard work are possible to achieve.
The enlightenment definitely played a pivotal role in the revolution, the ideas and works of well known enlightenment identities like Voltaire, rosseau, locke, and monstesque were highly influential during the era of the French revolution. Ideas that were developed during the period of the enlightenment led the lower class to become upset by the way they were being treated under the government. Correspondent to the ideas of enlightenment john locke philosophy, the boruqoosi essentially wanted life, liberty and property. The liberal ideas continued to influence the events of the revolution. The bourgeiosi created the national assembly which published the declaration of the rights of man and citizen.
The American Revolution and the French Revolution were both products of the Enlightenment ideals. These ideals emphasized on natural rights and equality. Both revolutions had their similarities and differences. American Revolution was similar to the French Revolution because people started to grow dissent to the monarchy and the upper classes and because of this, the economy for each nation started to weaken. These people felt the need to revolt so that they can be free against the oppressive rule of the absolute monarchs.
Different factors had a part to play in starting or even propelling ‘the Age of Enlightenment’, including the rule of the Church and State which experienced a power struggle among them, in addition to the Western discovery of latest societies with noticeably exclusive cultural traditions and norms. Many intellectuals felt unhappy with the fixed social styles amongst their very own collectives, and angry at their governments' refusal to provide non-public rights. The lasting political effect of the Enlightenment can't be overstated. At the least three fundamental political revolutions came about throughout this time period in Britain, America, and France.
The image shows the Enlightenment ideas were impacting a crowd of people, especially the third estates. In the late 18th century, people especially third estates began to question and reason of the theories influenced by the Enlightenment. Meanwhile, the Enlightenment before the French Revolution has affected steadily on impact people thinkings with their beliefs of power and rights of human (politics, arts, literature, and science)(Influence of the Enlightenment on the French Revolution). People initiated to open-minded, they admitted the enlightenment ideas were reasonable to their direction, the people started to use enlightenment ideas as a base to change the government system from absolute monarchy to democracy, which all the citizens
The age of enlightenment in the 18th century was primarily caused by a group of individuals known as philosophes. These philosophes were mostly made up of the middle class of society in France, but there were not only french philosophes. They could range from philosophers to ordinary journalists. These people had a change in mindset from the traditional mindset of the leaders at that time, as they wanted reform. The philosophes believed that the world that they were living in needed change, and they were determined to change it.
The Enlightenment was a period of time that stressed the importance of reason and individual ideas. Many philosophers published works criticizing a country’s monarch or divulging the flaws they saw in a system within the government, such as the justice system. The Enlightenment also stressed the importance of education, and as a result of this, literacy rates experienced a major upward trend. Now able to read the philosopher’s works, a larger sum of people now were educated on the corruptions within their government. This caused a questioning of traditional practices, and people began to believe they could revise their government.
The Enlightenment was another cause that fueled the rapidly progressing French Revolution. First and foremost, Britain had strongly influenced neighboring countries such as France during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, as British Scientists and philosophers such as Isaac Newton and John Locke impacted the entirety of Europe. Moreover, British society have just witnessed the glorious revolution and the British society was viewed by philosophers in France as ahead of the old-fashioned society of France. Most importantly, philosophers during the Enlightenment believed that civil and religious authorities should be separate, which contradicts the Absolute Monarchy and Catholic teachings of France. Therefore, thinkers of the Enlightenment aided the development of the French Revolution by opposing the existing values of religion shaping politics, while viewing Britain as a model of a supreme government and society.
In conclusion, the Enlightenment was vital to the American Revolution and the creation of American Government. The Enlightenment beliefs that influenced the American Revolution were natural rights, the social contract, and the right to overthrow the government if the social contract was violated. The Enlightenment beliefs that aided to the creation of the American government were separation of powers, checks and balances, and limited government. As stated before, without the Enlightenment there would not have been a revolution, resulting in no American Government. The Enlightenment’s influence on the creation of America is irrefutable.
People of France were faced with much more adversity due to unfair taxation, slavery, debt, and being within the homeland. Enlightenment thinkers inspired the people of France to gain knowledge and realize that absolute monarchy is a terrible form of government, and to replace it with a government in which rights are granted, and the power of the government lies in the hands of the people. The French people succeed, and ideals of liberty and equality became a way of life for the
