...Honors World Literature [DUE DATE] The Enlightenment and the Atlantic Revolutions Before the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment movement in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, divine reasoning and superstition were the explanation for unknown events, leadership, and government. Kings and emperors were justified by the gods or God of the people. People were killed due to accusations of witchcraft because there was no other explanation for the peculiar event that took place. Religion was the center of almost everyone’s life, and it explained many unknown elements of the world, such as creation. However, with new ideas and a scientific background, the world went through drastic changes. The Enlightenment, with its new radical ideas, particularly about government and human reason, served as the basis and...
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...The French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution were both catalysts for social change; each had their own driving schools of thought, but individually reacted to ruling forces in the same way. The issues being discussed by the National Assembly were far removed from those of the Sadler Commission yet the solutions were the same: the demand for social mobility. The French Revolution in many ways was a war among the estates. The third estate felt that it needed equal representation at the estate’s general. This was a point of French history in which the third estate was no longer comprised solely of uneducated agrarian workers. Instead, it was a social class of thinkers, shop keepers, lawyers, and physicians inspired by the scientific enlightenment. These philosophes were able to rationalize that if the order of the natural world can be explained with reason then so could socioeconomic classes and the political world. Soon, the notion of ruling by divine right would be challenged, and with no scientific evidence to support it, it would fail. Thus begins conflict amongst the estates. This would eventually lead to civil rights under the Napoleonic code. Once the masses realized that they would not be led by a king appointed by God, they began to see that their collective will would be in force. Even under the dictator Napoleon, policies in France would stand for the common good. This is a radical change from the status quo of lower classes living to serve the elite classes that...
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...The Age of Enlightenment The self-proclaimed Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a period notable for its substantial cultural and scientific developments, that took place mainly during the eighteenth century. It was a time when the scholarly class of Western Europe left behind Church dogma in the process of formulating philosophical ideas as well as scientific theories. It was substituted with reason. Notably, political ideas that were extremely radical for the time propagated throughout Europe and eventually led to the revolutions of France and the United States. Also, modern science further implanted itself into the mainstream. The roots of the entire movement date back to the time of the great Ancient Greek philosophers and scientists, specifically to such great thinkers as Aristotle and Plato. In Western Europe, from the time of the Middle Ages until then, Aristotelian science had remained the extent of scientific knowledge. It had long been lost due to the chaos of the Dark Ages, but it was “rediscovered” in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries through contact with Muslim influence and Byzantine scholars. During the late years of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment, scholars set out to improve upon Aristotelian and Platonic ideas. [1] The Renaissance gave a basis for the Age of Enlightenment to continue on. The Humanist movement during the Renaissance started to slightly move away from the Church. Although most Humanists were...
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...Enlightenment HIS104: World Civilizations II (ADH1412A) Instructor: Christopher Davies The enlightenment of the 18th century brought about new ways for religions and politics for the French Revolution. With the new ideas would help impact the French Revolution from 1789 to 1799. The enlightenment ideas about religion and society shaped the policies of the French Revolution. “The constant arrival of ships meant that ideas from Europe also traveled across the ocean, including those from Enlightenment thinkers and later revolutionary France. Some inhabitants of Saint Domingue embraced these ideas, but others reviled them. The grandsblancs especially became concerned when certain Enlightenment thinkers attacked slavery. They also disliked the emphasis on the rights and freedoms of the middle class, represented on Saint Domingue by the petitsblancs and gens de couleur. The petitsblancs, meanwhile, welcomed idealistic notions of justice and freedom because they resented the aristocratic dominance of the grandsblancs.” Getz, T.R. & Brooke, J.E. (2012). World history: The human experience from 1500. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. There were a lot of impacts related to the French Revolution as for political, social and culture. The political impacts that were related to the French Revolution are the political ideologies Nationalism and socialism. French nationalism, and nationalism as such, paradoxical in four ways. In their conception...
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...Similarities of the American and French Revolutions Occurring during the latter half of the 18th Century, the American and French Revolution were linked through similar circumstances and ideals. Born out of dire economic conditions and a desire for liberty, they both brought about constitutionalism in their respective nations. Just prior to the Revolutions, the citizens in both France and America were suffering under the weight of tax burdens. Along with the immense influence of the Enlightenment ideals of the time, out of both revolutions formal documents were written addressing the natural rights of citizens. The first similarity that can be seen in the American and French Revolutions was the presence of social unrest due to the imposition of taxes levied by their respective monarchies. America, as a colony under British rule was subject to taxes levied on them, without representation. The British Parliament was passing taxes to be levied against the colonists without them having constituents present in Parliament. This was particularly concerning to the American colonists, as this new pattern of collecting “unprecedented amounts of revenue” went against the precedent of prior “colonial-imperial relations.” (The Seven Years War to the American Revolution) Likewise, the French suffered under the “burden of a grossly inequitable system of taxation.” (French Revolution) As a result of the Seven Years War, both the British and the French monarchy enacted taxes to...
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...The American Revolution was caused by problems with religion, government, finances, freedom, and rights. All of these subjects have been presented earlier during the enlightenments, the glorious revolution, the English Civil War, and stand in the English Bill of rights which later set the basis for our country today. Without the thinkers that the Scottish enlightenment produced, our modern government wouldn’t be the way that it remains today. If it wasn’t for the English Bill of Rights, the constitution would not exist. All of the causes listed above play a part in the American Revolution, which would later result in the creation of the United States of America. Maybe the most influential character came out of the enlightenment, his name...
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...the French Revolution The French Revolution of 1789 was major turning point in European history because it redefined the image of nation in a way never seen before as the people gained political control over their own nation. Therefore the aspects of this revolution have been debated as the beginning concept of “modern history.” This concept is derived from how the French Revolution demonstrated the will of the citizens as a political entity that could dictate governmental change by showing how the people, not the monarchy, could reform a nation. Through the establishment of a new government by the people, new institutions and policies were developed that the world we live as modern; such innovations included a system of power based on wealth and status instead of birth, and a new state bureaucracy. The ideas that drove the revolution came from the innovative thinkers of the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, and inspired the people of France to question those who reigned over them. While the events of the French Revolution transformed France, the reign of Napoleon turned the revolution into a European event by sparking revolution in countries that had not already. Napoleon’s conquests helped spread the mind set created in the French Revolution around Europe. The French Revolution marked the beginning of “modern history,” because the revolutionary ideas that it created sparked the creation of citizen-governed nations across Europe. One of the aspects of the French Revolution...
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...* * * * * * * Inspirations for the French Revolution * University of Phoenix * As French philosopher Denis Diderot stated, “Man is born to think for himself.” His bold ideology became the backbone of a revolution that would forever change the social and political situation in Europe (Repression, 2006). The French Revolution demanded the end of a corrupt monarchy, giving the country back to its citizens. Not only did the idea of individuals thinking for themselves flourish, but so did the ideas of national unity, individual liberty, and social equality. Out of the new sense of unity and liberty, however, a large amount of hubris entered the general attitude of French citizens, creating massive egos and the ultimate violence that led to the Reign of Terror. * The American Revolution that took place between 1765 and 1783 provided an example to those in Europe fighting for their rights. By declaring independence, America proved that “old regimes” can be overthrown. Those who fought in America and returned to France began to tell stories of a life where men are equal and freedom is a reality. With the enactment of the United States Constitution in 1788, ideas of the Enlightenment were solidified and validated (Impact of Revolution, n.d.). Enlightenment thinkers gained great momentum, calling for social and political change all over Europe. French revolutionaries eventually created the slogan, “Liberté, egalité, fraternité,” as a direct result...
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...The American, French, and the Haitian revolutions, which ranged from 1750 to 1914, can all be traced back to the same origins, the enlightenment thinkers. The ideas of natural rights, a social contract between the government and the people, separation of powers, checks and balances, and maybe the most important idea of them all, revolution all came from thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Voltaire, Baron de Montesquieu, and Jean Jacque. But, although they might’ve had the same beginning that doesn’t mean their course of action was the same. The French Revolution, 1789-1815, the American Revolution, 1776-1783, and the Haitian Revolution, 1810-1825, might have all had the inspiration from the enlightenment thinkers, but their tack ticks...
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...During the 1700s, European thinkers were impressed by scientific discoveries in the natural world. They believed they could also uncover the scientific laws that governed human life. After discovering the laws of the universe, people could use the knowledge to help society improve. As the Scientific Revolution advanced, many educated Europeans came to believe that “reason” was a better guide than faith or tradition. To them, “reason” was the light that burned the darkness away and showed the way to the truth. Hence, the 18th century was labeled as the Age of Enlightenment. The Age of Enlightenment is one of the main causes of the the American and French revolutions, it is also considered as a predecessor to the Industrial Revolution. The Age of Enlightenment was influenced by the ideas of several different revolutionary thinkers, but two of the biggest thinkers of the seventeenth century, Isaac Newton and John Locke, are often referred to as the “father of Enlightenment”. The American Enlightenment, more moderate than in...
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...The French Revolution The book that was reviewed is titled “The French Revolution: William Doyle”. It addresses some of the causes of the French revolution and the effects it had. The French Revolution is known as one of the most significant events in the world’s history. Its impact hardly can be overvalued due to globally caused implications. Therefore, it is considered as generally valid birth of civilized principles. Appropriate analyzing requires plenty of items considering. However, there is the try to outline the most significant causes and effects of great historical event. Let’s start with the causes of the French Revolution. A major cause was social injustice and class inequalities. 18th century in French history was the time of feudal abutment. Naturally that is accompanied by different rights and duties for its members. The division of French society members was provided by Estates. In fact, prerevolutionary France experienced three of them: first, second and third estate respectively. The contrast between them was too significant and frustrated the lowest class. The first most privileged Estate was for about 2 percent of the entire population. At the end of scholastic influence era, the power of the Church was unrestricted. As for corresponding benefits, the Estate was out of tax duty. Moreover, the Church was authorized for income tithe claiming. Curiously enough, this minority owned more than 15% percent of France’s lands. The second Estate was nobility. As well...
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...In the mid-1700s, Enlightenment thinkers believed that it was feasible to create an original way of viewing society through the scientific method and rationalism. (1.) There were many thinkers in this new age, but at the center of this group was in France and these philosophes, or philosophers, claimed that they “... were bringing the light of reason to their ignorant fellow humans.”These philosophes became interested in human nature and accepted that extensive knowledge would lead to the growth of human happiness and this wisdom would lead to the advancement of political, social, and economic ways of thought. Not all philosophers agreed on every issue, but they were asking some of the same questions about individual rights and a balance...
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...The Enlightenment removes some of the power of the French government and the church, and inspires a new type of society that is based on rationale, and not inherited power. More and more people are taking in this idea of equality and individual freedom. The American Revolution showed the French people that it is possible for a government with Enlightenment ideas integrated. Some American diplomats such as Benjamin Franklin have lived in Paris, where they talk with French authorities and respected people. Also, contact between the Americans and the French that helped the Americans win the war helped spread these revolutionary ideas to other people in France. This is important to the thesis because it shows one of the causes of the French Revolution, and the effects of The Enlightenement can...
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...Beginning with the separation of the Estates General, the French Revolution was a huge political, social, and economic upset that occurred in three parts: the First Revolution, the Second Revolution, and the Thermidorian Reaction with Napoleon’s era. Each section benefitted a different part of France’s vast class system and was detrimental to others. While the First Revolution was most beneficial for the bourgeoisie, the Second Revolution helped the sans culottes, and the Thermidorian Reaction and Napoleon helped the wealthy classes again. The First Revolution of the French Revolution was based around the Enlightenment thinker Locke’s ideas. He believed that there should be consent of the governed and that all citizens have the rights...
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...Chapter 17 Atlantic Revolutions and Their Echoes 1750–1914 MARGIN REVIEW QUESTIONS Q. In what ways did the ideas of the Enlightenment contribute to the Atlantic revolutions? • The Enlightenment promoted the idea that human political and social arrangements could be engineered, and improved, by human action. • New ideas of liberty, equality, free trade, religious tolerance, republicanism, human rationality, popular sovereignty, natural rights, the consent of the governed, and social contracts developed during the Enlightenment, providing the intellectual underpinnings of the Atlantic revolutions. Q. What was revolutionary about the American Revolution, and what was not? • The American Revolution was revolutionary in that it marked a decisive political change. • It was not revolutionary in that it sought to preserve the existing liberties of the colonies rather than to create new ones. Q. How did the French Revolution differ from the American Revolution? • While the American Revolution expressed the tensions of a colonial relationship with a distant imperial power, the French insurrection was driven by sharp conflicts within French society. • The French Revolution, especially during its first five years, was a much more violent, far-reaching, and radical movement than its American counterpart. • The French revolutionaries perceived themselves as starting from scratch in recreating the social order, while the Americans sought...
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