How Did Hobbes Change During The French Revolution

In 1789, the French Revolution began compelling France to reorganize their government, adopt a series of the Enlightenment Principles, and to recognize the rights of their citizens in passing the Declaration of Rights on behalf of the National Assembly. This revolutionary period in France saw a king lose power and eventually his life, military leader Napoléon Bonaparte’s rise and fall, and the stability of France change throughout the Revolution. Throughout all of these changes the Revolution succeeded in: altering a corrupt government, achieving power for the lower class, creating French civil law, and altering the political and social structure by France adopting the Napoleonic Code with the goals of the Enlightenment authors of equality …show more content…
John Locke believed that “The organization of the State evolved as a result of free individuals consenting to be governed by an abstract authority in the interests of protecting private property” (Sydie). This ideal by Locke under the current king with “churches” and “aristocrats” paying no taxes violated his belief. By France passing the Declaration of Rights it allowed free individuals to be protected by their own government. Thomas Hobbes believed that equality and social order were created and changed by human beings. Hobbes’s belief helped further develop France’s view on equality through Napoléon implementing the Napoleonic Code and spreading equality amongst the three estates in France. All in all, the French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1814, seeing changes in constitutional rights and government structure. The changes made to the government allowed the transformation of a monarchy, democracy, and dictatorship. The changes during the Revolution helped further the country’s development and assist the large majority receive their equal vote. These changes helped allow France adopt the Enlightenment Principles from Locke, and Hobbes and a motive to strive for each day of: “liberty, equality, and