"How Ideologies Can Cause a Revolution in the Enlightenment" Revolt, power, despotism, government, and equality are words that can be used against each other and for each other, but all of them can be described in relation to a revolution. Revolution is a revolt against a higher power for a change in the economy, social structure, or government. The Enlightenment was a time period in which new ideas and intellectual movements arose to change society. Ideologies of the Enlightenment can cause a revolution because of the changes they bring to the economy, social structure, and government. "Economy is a huge part of a revolution. If the economy is not working and many people are unhappy, then a revolution is bound to happen. 'Every man...is left …show more content…
In this piece of evidence, Adam Smith talks about how if someone depends on living off an upper-classman, then they are a beggar. At this time in the world, mercantilism was the main economic system for countries to be economically stable. Adam Smith talks about how capitalism is the best form for economics in a country. So, in this piece of evidence, Adam Smith says how only beggars depend on other people's resources. He shows how mercantilism is a needy form of economics and how the people who depend on the government receive meager amounts of money. This can start a revolution because once the lower class stops depending on the upper class, they can revolt and start making more money through private businesses. This made the upper class angry, and now both sides (the upper class and the lower class) despise each other and want a change. The last piece of evidence of an economic change is in Document 4: 'People Under the Old Regime.' This shows a significant social difference where the working class is at the bottom, and the rich are at the top being carried by the hard-working class. I can infer that this political cartoon is showing the working class carrying the rest of the class and the working class is bleeding and being beaten up. This can cause a revolution because if the working class stops, then …show more content…
If the government fails to appease the citizens, then the citizens may revolt or overthrow the government. As Montesquieu argues in "The Spirit of the Laws," the best type of government varies depending on the circumstances. The size of a country necessitates a specific type of government for it to be a stable government. For example, a smaller government is ideal for a small country, but a monarchy is best for a medium-sized government. In contrast, a larger country requires a despotic authority to maintain order, so everyone is fearful and less likely to revolt. Failure to establish an appropriate government for a country's circumstances can cause a revolution. If the government's system does not serve the needs of the people, the people may revolt and demand change. John Locke's "Two Treatises on Government" supports the idea that "all men should be equal and independent, [and] no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." In a substantial government, everyone should be treated equally and responsible for their possessions. However, under a monarchy, not everyone is equal, and the government may restrict their power. This could lead to a revolution if people want to take charge of themselves and overthrow a government that limits their