Role of Enlightenment in the French Revolution - Paper Example

Introduction

Many aspects of Enlightenment thinking were responsible for the French Revolution. The Enlightenment was an event that occurred in Europe during the 1800s. During this period, many views and concepts were brought to the forefront. France was divided into three social classes or estates: the Clergy and the nobility. Then came the commoners or the bourgeoisie. Each class faced constant struggle. The Enlightenment was loved by the French bourgeoisie, who decided to fight for freedom, equality and fraternity in France. The French Revolution was largely influenced by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment changed the monarchy and created the idea of a republic. John Locke's ideas were popularized by the bourgeoisie. He believed that no king should be in absolute power and he liked the idea for a constitutional monarchy. French people liked the idea that being a ruler meant that he/she would also have to follow rules. Locke said that no ruler can take away an individual's natural rights. If he/she does not do a good work, the people should have the right to remove their ruler from power.

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Baron de Montesquieu, an Enlightenment thinker believed in the separation of powers into three distinct branches. These were the branches of executive, legislative, and judicial. He believed that everyone should be equal in rights and equality. Voltaire, another Enlightenment writer believed that everyone should be free to express their opinions and follow their religious beliefs. These rights and freedoms were not available to the third estate of France. French law was poor and punishments were harsh. The bourgeoisie ended feudalism in 1789. They ended absolute monarchies and made them constitutional monarchies. Although there were many issues with French society, they mostly affected the third. Louis XVI called a meeting to discuss the general of estates. Louis XVI called a meeting for the general of estates because he was short of money due to taxation and voting problems. France had a very unfair system of voting. The third estate accounted for 98% of the population, while the remaining 2% was made up by the estates. Each estate had a population equal to one House in Parliament. It was always one to two votes each time, as 2% can outvote 98%. The third estate was also the only one that had to pay taxes, and didn't have any say in the government.

The bourgeoisie, who were locked out the assembly hall on June 17, 1789 decided to move to a nearby tennis court to have their own assembly. They invited the other estates to join them. The French Revolution started when troops stormed Bastille to defend their national assembly and obtain weapons. Shortly after the Bastille storm, the national assembly created a new document. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, also known as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, reflects the Enlightenment ideas of inalienable right, and creates a new constitutional monarchy. All citizens were granted their civil rights. On October 5, 1789, the housewives marched to Versailles. They wanted to lower bread prices so that they could feed their families. They declared war against Austria and Prussia, saying that they would protect the monarchy.

Radical leaders rose to power in 1792 and attempted to establish republics. Marie Antoinette, a traitor, was executed in 1793. The Committee of Public Safety was then created. The committee was made up of 12 members, each with absolute power. Maximilien Robespierre was the leader. He was the founder of the Reign of Terror. This idea used terror as a tool for politics. They executed clergymen, nobles, as well as the bourgeoisie who were against the revolution. These people were executed using the French invention, the Guillotine. Robespierre's dictatorship was finally ended by the French in 1794 when they executed him. Robespierre's ideas were completely against the Enlightenment, as he loved the idea of execution. These beliefs were contrary to what France promised. The Enlightenment was an important part of the French Revolution. The French failed to overthrow the government through revolution. This was due to the poor planning of the revolution and the execution of many people during the Reign of Terror. Feudalism and absoluteism were replaced. The French ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity were popularized and the third estate was a more prominent force in politics. Napoleon was elected to power in 1799. The government then became a military dictatorship.