The Effect of the Enlightenment on the French Revolution

A detailed Summary of The Effect of the Enlightenment on the French Revolution


There are many ways in which the Enlightenment affected the course of the Revolution, however there are three interrelated facets of Enlightenment theory that gave the Revolution the might it needed to survive. These three ideals brought the middle and lower classes into the Revolution, a feat that would otherwise only come about in times of an intense depression. The first theory was that all ideas are universal and cosmopolitan, a theory that placed the peasants on an intellectual plateau with the aristocracy. The second idea was that the only worthwhile knowing was utilitarian knowledge, something on which the working classes had a virtual monopoly. The final change in thinking was a skepticism of religion, which weakened the clergy and ultimately caused the downfall of the king.

The belief in universal ideas was the first of many steps that laid the path for revolution. The idea that all thoughts were cosmopolitan, and understandable by all, leveled the intellectual playing field for the working classes. The peasants a


In any country, the road to its revolution can be summed up in a word or phrase. The American Revolution's motto was "Taxation without representation." In other countries the rebellion was against tyranny, or despotism. In France, it was "Enlightenment," and once the heads fell, the revolutionaries realized, however briefly, the goals of the Enlightenment, egalitarianism.

The last step on the road to outright rebellion was the removal of the source of the monarchy's power. During the Enlightenment era, the nation of France was under an absolutist monarchy. God gave the King his authority to rule. In the final step to revolt, the Enlightenment thinkers removed the people's faith in God. Until this time most of the populace was still devoutly religious, but with the widespread acceptance of Deism and Atheism as replacements for more established religions, the people began to move away from the Christian God. As more and more flocked to other religions, some began to question the King's profession that his power came from God.

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, God King, France Enlightenment, American Revolution's, Christian God, Deism Atheism, utilitarian knowledge, knowledge blacksmith, playing field, god king,

Approximate Word count = 702
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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