The Enlightenment and the French Revolution: A Comprehensive Guide
The Enlightenment: Age of Reason
The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical movement that emphasized the power of human reason and the importance of individual rights. It had a profound impact on the way people viewed government and society, and it laid the groundwork for the French Revolution.
Themes of the Enlightenment
- Progress
- Liberty
- Happiness
- Nature (natural laws)
Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment
- Thomas Hobbes: Believed that people are inherently selfish and evil, and that they need a strong monarch to control them.
- John Locke: Believed that people are born with natural rights (life, liberty, property), and that the role of government is to protect these rights.
- Baron de Montesquieu: Proposed the idea of the separation of powers (judicial, legislative, executive) to ensure a balance of power within government.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Developed the concept of the social contract, which states that people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their rights.
- Voltaire: Advocated for the separation of church and state, arguing that it would lead to greater tolerance.
Absolutism and Divine Right
Absolutism was a political theory that held that monarchs had absolute sovereignty over their territories. They shared power with no one and claimed to rule by divine right, believing that God had given them the authority to govern.
Mercantilism
Mercantilism was an economic theory that emphasized the importance of a country’s wealth in terms of its physical possessions, such as gold. Mercantilists believed that a country should export more than it imports in order to accumulate wealth.
The French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that began in 1789. It was sparked by a combination of economic, social, and political factors, including the financial crisis caused by France’s involvement in the American Revolutionary War.
Phases of the French Revolution
1st Phase (Moderate Phase)
The first phase of the revolution was characterized by moderate reforms aimed at addressing the financial crisis and reforming the government. Key events included the Estates General, the National Legislative Assembly, and the Tennis Court Oath.
2nd Phase (Radical Phase)
The second phase of the revolution was marked by more radical measures, including the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of the Jacobins.
3rd Phase (Directory)
The third phase of the revolution saw the establishment of the Directory, a government run by five directors. The Directory was weak and corrupt, and it was eventually overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte.
4th Phase (Napoleon)
Napoleon Bonaparte was a brilliant military leader who rose to power during the French Revolution. He established the Consulate, a new government that restored order and stability to France. In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself emperor, and he embarked on a series of military campaigns that expanded French territory.
Legacy of the French Revolution
The French Revolution had a profound impact on France and the rest of Europe. It led to the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of a republic, and the spread of democratic ideals. The revolution also had a significant impact on the development of political thought and the rise of nationalism.