Enlightenment And Voltaire's Impact On The French Revolution

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The Enlightenment was a time period of philosophical, economical, social, and political movement in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many philosophes were associated during this time period, including: Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Diderot, along with many others. Montesquieu believed in an inclusion of the scientific method in social and political areas of the Natural Laws guiding social relationships. Voltaire believed in political and religious toleration, in contrast, Diderot doubted the importance of both government and the divine right a king had over his people. Not only was there a struggle between religious matters, but also economical relations; which and were tied to the French Revolution. Corruption in the monarchy, social rivalries between …show more content…
Known as the “one of most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment”, François-Marie Arouet or Voltaire impacted political ideas by him speaking out against the French Government. Voltaire believed that the only human being that was capable of ruling over the people of France was an enlightened monarch or enlightened absolutist. Even being enlightened, he believed that the ruler should have an enlightened philosopher (like himself) to assist alongside the ruler. Voltaire did not only speak out against the government, but also against the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, and even the commoners. Voltaire described the aristocracy as “parasitic and corrupt”, while at the same time portraying the bourgeoisie as “small and ineffective” and even pointing out that the commoners were “ignorant and superstitious”. Aside from all this, his views on political government of France were mostly established around the monarchy treating everyone with

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