ipl-logo

Voltaire's Influence On The French And American Revolution

699 Words3 Pages

Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet also known as Voltaire was born in 1694 in Paris (France). He died in the 1778 (83 years later) . Throughout his lifetime he wrote many plays, philosophical works and works of history. According to the European Graduate School he is one of the greatest name of the French Enlightenment. He as many other writer’s works had an influence on the French and American revolutions. Arouet was well known for defending religious freedom, free trade, civil liberties and social reform. He also fought against limitations of censorship, intolerance and the institutions of his time

At the age of seven Arouet lost his mother. His dad was a notary. His father made him study law, but he was a lot more interested in poetry …show more content…

He believed that theories should be supported by observations and experiments. Even though believed in that, he would have theories unsupported by any observations and experiments. Voltaire as a person was a pessimist. He was a pessimist especially when the topic was about humanity. He believed that if people would have more positive qualities the would could improve (more smart people, less ignorance, more thoughtful people and etc. ). He wanted to educate the middle class. He thought that by educating the middle class he could make a change.

Voltaire played an important role in the Enlightenment with the help of his controversial philosophies and innovative literature. His hatred towards abuse of human rights made him the person he was. He believe that in order to know the truth about the world we should doubt things we are told. His writing brought more knowledge and …show more content…

Smitha [online] Available at: http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h29-phil2.htm The European Graduate School (2015) - “Voltaire Biography” [online] Available at: http://www.egs.edu/library/voltaire/biography/ Афоризмы великих людей (2007-2013) - “Краткая Биография” [online] Available at: http://www.wisdoms.ru/avt/b44_1.html History (2015) - “10 things you should know about Voltaire” [online] Available at: http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-should-know-about-voltaire THESECULARWEB (1955- 2015) “Voltaire” by John Patrick Michael Murphy [online] Available at: http://infidels.org/library/modern/john_murphy/voltaire.html YouTube - (July 31,2013 ) “Who was Voltaire? A history of Voltaire” - posted by PragmaticMotion's channel [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJRtRe19GFI YouTube - (February 22,2014) “Heroes Of The Enlightenment Ep1” posted by Humanist Society of South Australia Inc [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07DhMaOgDNs YouTube - (February 22,2014) “ Heroes Of The Enlightenment Ep2” posted by Humanist Society of South Australia Inc [online] Available at:

Show More
Related

Enlightenment Dbq Essay

483 Words | 2 Pages

Voltaire wrote poems, novels, essays, plays, and more than 20,000 personal letters. Voltaire's idea of a better society, was freedom in religion. The Royal Exchange in London was where the representatives of all nations meet and try to profess the same religion. But Volaire states that “if there is one religion, then it would be a arbitrary, and if there was two, people would kill one and others, but if there was a multitude of religions, there would be peace and happiness”(Doc 2). Voltaire's idea is similar to John Locke's idea.

Read More

Why Is Thomas Paine So Popular

1815 Words | 8 Pages

This helped many people out tremendously because his way of writing helped people that could barely read, or have the ability to comprehend things understand his simple put arguments. He was the perfect definition of a “people person”. He realized that if he understood the people, and showed that in his writings, he could have them on his side and help fight for

Read More

Assess The Validity Of The Following Statement: Locke, Voltaire And Rousseau

734 Words | 3 Pages

Voltaire supported reforms and found a lot of supporters in people that were going to be executed by the church and perhaps some Protestants. His ideas were also

Read More

How Did The Enlightenment Influence The American Identity

1522 Words | 7 Pages

Benjamin Franklin was a very important man in the Enlightenment period due to his vast knowledge of science and politics. The American Enlightenment provided the structure for the colonists of America to evolve into a unique American character by 1763 through the circulation of reading materials, the scientific discoveries that lead to unique inventions, the development of a different government, and the tolerance for many religions. This evolution can be assessed by the life of Benjamin Franklin, a key proponent of the Enlightenment. The 18th century was when Britain and its colonies grew closer because of the circulation in letters, newspapers, and books.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Wilson And Marquis De Condorcet

408 Words | 2 Pages

One person who Wilson focuses most in this chapter is Marquis de Condorcet because he created many of the intellectual ideas of the time. Condorcet’s death in March 1794 marks the end of the Enlightenment period. Moreover, in chapter four, Wilson discusses how humans perceive the world in certain ways although that is not all that exists. There is much more

Read More

How Did John Locke Contribute To Voltaire

444 Words | 2 Pages

Young Voltaire was able to receive an excellent education. He was also a clever child and studied at the College of Louis le Grand from 1704 to 1711. Some things that prepared this person to succeed in life were his mother's death and how he got excellent grades and was a gentle boy. He also went to the college of Louis le Grand. Someone who helped Voltaire in life was his Dad,John Locke and

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Glorious Revolution Of 1688 And The Enlightenment

1102 Words | 5 Pages

This sharing of power added ideas from the newly formed government that focused on the freedoms of citizens in England. Voltaire contended that the English government had successfully limited the power of the monarchy by affirming the power of the nobility, criticizing the French feudal system for its inability to share political power amongst the citizens of France (6). Advocating a limited monarchy to hold political discussions concerning the progress of the French government towards liberal reforms during the French Revolution. Voltaire as an enlightened philosophe, published papers about the rationality of the French government, which influenced his attitude towards the English constitutional monarchy that implemented the enlightened ideal of liberty. John Locke wrote that the purpose of electing legislative powers was to create laws and rules that protected the “properties of all the members of society,” a natural right of mankind (5).

Read More

Compare And Contrast Voltaire And John Locke

901 Words | 4 Pages

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet(Voltaire)was born on November 21, 1694. He was a french engliment writer. Voltaire was best known for his attacks to the church and for supporting what is called freedom of expression and the separation of church and state. He is remembered for his couraged to fight for the civil rights. Volataire wrote about a total of 2,000 books and pamphlets and 20,000 letters.

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Enlightenment Ideas Of Montesquieu And Rousseau

628 Words | 3 Pages

Which brings me to the next Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. Voltaire had a very big impact on society as he encouraged people to start having their own ideas. In Voltaire 's time period people were constantly punished for not agreeing with the church or the government. Voltaire believed that society would be much better off if there was freedom to have your own ideas. Voltaire believed that diversity was the key to success for society as he stated in The Philosophical Dictionary, "To be a good patriot is to wish that one 's city may be enriched by trade, and be powerful by arms"(Voltaire).

Read More

Benjamin Franklin's Influence On The Enlightenment

690 Words | 3 Pages

At the start of the 18th century, the beginning of the Enlightenment was upon America. There were many factors and people who help play a part in the Enlightenment or, in other words, the Age of Reason, some of the people that assisted the enlightenment was Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adam. Each of the philosophers demonstrates the fundamental idea of the Enlightenment like liberalism, rationalism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Even though each person played an important part, the most influences person that was involved was Benjamin Franklin. Throughout Benjamin Franklin`s life, he demonstrates through his action and writing that he was the epitome of the Enlightenment by showing that he was

Read More

How Did John Locke Contribute To The Enlightenment

471 Words | 2 Pages

Another thinker from the Enlightenment is Francois Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire. Voltaire was a french philosopher as well as an author. He believed in many freedoms such as: freedom of speech, freedom of

Read More

Gender Role In Voltaire's Candide

2008 Words | 9 Pages

Voltaire is one of the greatest and most famous authors in French literature. He was widely known as a playwright, poet, novelist, essayist and philosopher in the eighteenth century age of enlightenment in Europe. He was known for his advocacy of freedom of religion and other civil liberties. During the long life of Voltaire, he produced many works such as his famous satirical short novel Candide. It was derived from Voltaire’s interest in philosophy and human nature.

Read More

Human Nature In Voltaire's Candide

1644 Words | 7 Pages

Enlightenment was a time of embracing logic and reasoning whilst rejecting untested beliefs and superstition. This time period occurred from the year 1694 until 1795. During this time writers used their medium of the written word to express their beliefs based on logic while denouncing old-world ideologies . During Enlightenment human nature was often put under scrutiny as thinkers strived to find what qualities resulted in the best possible human. In this piece of writing, the reader will be able to see the opinions of human nature held by three great thinkers from this time period: Voltaire, Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe.

Read More

Influence Of Voltaire On The Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Paine

551 Words | 3 Pages

He was a French philosopher who wrote the Age of Enlightenment about freedom, and democracy. Much of his writing made the aristocracy and monarchies furious because he was going against them. His ideas influenced people in the American Revolution and even the French Revolution. Thomas Paine was influenced by Voltaire in writing the Common Sense pamphlet. The ideas in his writing influenced the line in the second paragraph “all men are created equal” and also the 1st amendment about religion and freedom in the Declaration of Independence (Unknown 4).

Read More

François-Marie Arouet: Nom De Plume Voltaire

944 Words | 4 Pages

Biography Profile Introduction: Who is this person? François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a historian, Enlightenment writer, and philosopher. He was born November 21, 1694 in Paris,France. He later died May 30, 1778, in his hometown of Paris, France.

Read More

More about Voltaire's Influence On The French And American Revolution

Related Topics

Open Document