By : KHIZRA RASHAD
French Revolution and Role of Enlightenment
The age of reasoning- The Enlightenment did not only brought changes within
Science but also to all aspects of Society including :
• Government
• Religion
• Education
• Economy
Enlightenment emphasized on human ability to reason as only reason can solve a
person’s problems moreover this ability can make people get rid of ignorance,
injustice and even unfair government.
France - Origin of Enlightenment ideas
French scholars and thinker proposed the basic ideas of Enlightenment that
influenced the local people to led a revolution in order to achieve their demands
that were being ignored by the upper authorities for a long period.
Among many enlightenment thinkers include John Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu
and Rousseau – whose liberal ideas became the basis of demands of French
Revolution
Ideas of John Locke
He proposed Life, Liberty and Property of an individual. According to him an
individual is born with his rights of Life Liberty and property and these rights
cannot be snatched by anyone and that the government should protect these rights.
Ideas of Voltaire
According to him an individual should have freedom of speech and there should
be religious tolerance
Ideas of Montesquieu
He proposed that there should be complete separation of Power and liberty of an
individual. The power should be divided as Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.
Ideas of Rousseau
According to him people have the right of sovereignty, they have the right to have
their own sovereign state as well as have the right to choose their own government.
His famous work includes “the social contract”.
Impact of Enlightenment ideas in French Revolution
The enlightenment ideas became the pivotal source that led the French Revolution.
The 3rd state (including the Bourgeoisie, the pheasants and the rest of the local
population of France) was heavily influenced by the ideas Of John Locke of Natural
Rights of Life Liberty and Property. The 3rd state demanded equal representation in
France States General same as the clergy and nobility had. As their demand was not
approved this led them to make their own National Assembly. This National
Assembly later proposed the declaration of human and citizen rights ; including
all the enlightenment ideas of natural rights, separation of church and state,
separation of power, freedom of speech and religion, the social contract.
First phase of French Revolution
During first phase the enlightenment ideas were used to create a better society, such
as the abolition of Feudalism and event that took place during the revolution.
Feudalism was completely abolished this led the pheasant to have completed
ownership of their lands and ended the feudal lordship of Clergy and the Nobility
The second phase of French Revolution
During the second phase the enlightenment ideas were seemed to get twisted as the
French Revolution entered the Reign of terror. Maximilian Robespierre who was
the head of Committee of Public Safety was firm believer of Enlightenment idea of
Social Contract. Where he executed anyone who opposed the Revolution.
The third phase of French Revolution
This phase marks the emperor ship of Napoleon Bonaparte. During his reign he
implemented many decisions among the notable is Civil Code, this act promoted the
ideas of Enlightenment. As Civil Code gave rights of equality, personal and religious
rights.
Events of French Revolution
The French Revolution was a major historical event in the European history
however itself this Revolution consists of series of events.
Major Events:
Tennis Court Oath
The General Assembly of France had three states including The Clergy , The
Nobility and the Local population. The 3rd state Having a total population of 98%
was always overruled by the Upper states. The Local Population of France wanted
equal representation within the General Assembly. However their demand was
ignored. So they came up within their own National Assembly in a Tennis Court and
took oath – not to separate until France forms its own constitution. The 3rd state was
influenced by the liberal ideas of right to liberty and sovereignty.
Fall of Bastille
It is considered as the start of revolution, when local citizens thought that their
National Constituent Assembly was in danger as a response they stormed the
Bastille Fort a symbol of monarchical power. They confiscated gunpowder and
weapons on 14th July 1789.
Declaration of Man and Citizen rights
The National Constituent Assembly of France proposed it’s Charter of Human rights
which later became the blueprint of modern UN charter Of human Rights. After this
France became Constitutional Monarchy, whereas the National Assembly was
replaced by Legislative Assembly.
March on Versailles
More often known as Women’s March on Versailles, it was protest mostly consisting
of Women who gathered in local market and marched towards the Versailles Palace
as a response to increased food prices. The slogan was as is live among the people
– forcing king Louis to live among people in order to understand the hardship of life
Execution of King Louis XVI
When King Louis along with his family tried to escape France and seek refuge in
Austria, when Austria and Prussia attacked France in order to diminish the
revolution as these monarchies were afraid the revolution might affect them as well.
However King Louis got caught and was taken under arrest.
France was proclaimed a republic on 21st September 1792 whereas king Louis was
charged of treason and executed on 21st September 1793 followed by the execution
of his wife Queen Marie Antoinette.
Reign Of Terror
After the execution of King ending the monarchy, The republic of France formed its
National convention who in turned formed the Committee of Public Safety, whose
function was to protect the Republic against foreign attacks and rebels. Maximilian
Robespierre was one of the member of this committee, on the orders whom many
people were arrested and executed on the charge of being involved in anti revolution
acts. Such Terror led to the execution of Maximilian Robespierre himself on the
orders of other members of Committee. The Reign of terror is however justified
as it brought democracy within France.
Formation of Directory and Coup of 18th Brumaire
The execution of Maximilian Robespierre ended reign of terror now the National
convention of France made a new constitution – formation of Directory. However
the directory became involved in corruption which led one of the military leader
Napoleon Bonaparte to take over government. He declared himself the emperor.
Thus France transitioned again from a republic to a monarchy.
