SSWH14 How was the French Revolution a response to Enlightenment philosophy ideas?
The French Revolution was a result of popular support for the divine right of kings.
The French Revolution was inspired by Thomas Hobbes’ ideas on natural rights.
The French Revolution was a result of the belief that a country should control the economy.
The French Revolution was a result of people questioning the authority of governments.
The French Revolution was a response to Enlightenment philosophy ideas, primarily because of people questioning the authority of governments. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the importance of individual rights, reason, and the need for a government that serves the people. These ideas challenged the absolute authority of monarchs and promoted the notion of popular sovereignty.
Enlightenment philosophers, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, advocated for the idea of the social contract, where the government is only legitimate if it serves the common good and protects the rights of citizens. This concept of a limited government that derives its authority from the consent of the governed greatly influenced the French Revolution.
Furthermore, the Enlightenment promoted the idea of natural rights, which were believed to be inherent to all individuals, including the rights to life, liberty, and property. The French Revolutionaries were inspired by these ideas and demanded equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, thus challenging the traditional social hierarchy and the privileges of the nobility.
Additionally, the French Revolution can be seen as a response to Enlightenment ideas because it aimed to establish a secular society based on reason and equality. The revolutionaries sought to replace the feudal system and the influence of the Catholic Church with a more rational and just society.
In summary, the French Revolution was a response to Enlightenment philosophy ideas as people began to question the authority of governments, promoted the concept of popular sovereignty, demanded equal rights and opportunities, and aimed to establish a secular and rational society.