The French Revolution (1789-1815) was heavily influenced by the philosophes that we read about in Ch. 17 and the ideas of the Enlightenment. Also, the American Revolution against the British monarchy and the subsequent American Constitution was extremely important to the leaders of the French Revolution.
Some Enlightenment ideas that were used in the French Revolution were:
1. Natural rights - life, liberty, property
2. Equality for all men
3. Social Contract - government derives its power from the people, not God
4. Religious freedom
5. Separation of powers - executive, judicial, legislative
6. Written constitution
7. Voting for citizens (ability to pick their leaders)
8. Free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble
9. Schools were improved, not dependent upon the Church
However, there were times, during all four stages of the French Revolution that some of these Enlightenment ideas were betrayed by the leaders (and mobs) of the French Revolution. Explain in your answer how the Revolution both expanded the ideas of the Enlightenment and also betrayed those ideas.
19 comments:
The French revolution both expanded and betrayed enlightenment ideas. It expanded on enlightenment ideas by wanting a separation of powers instead of just King Louis having all the power. They also made a social contract which means that the government gets its power from the people, not God. Ways that the betrayed enlightenment ideas were that when voting, they excluded women and only allowed men to vote. It also only brought equality to all men and kept the women with the same rights. They also claimed that everyone should have natural rights, but when they started to killed the 1st and second estates they took away their natural rights to life. This goes against enlightenment ideas because everyone is supposed to be equal and share the same rights, but they were going about it the wrong way with killing the more wealthy people.
The Revolution had many times where the Enlightenment ideas were praised and when they were dismissed. One way the Revolution expanded the ideas of the Enlightenment is when they wanted to break away from the monarchy and have a balanced government which would be like the philosophy separation of powers. Another way the Revolution expanded the Enlightenment ideas is when they wanted to create a society where all men are equal, although this was an Enlightenment idea it was betrayed when Napoleon Brought back the monarchy. One way the Revolution betrayed the ideas of the Enlightenment were when they started to execute many people which were very unnecessary to the revolution but it also helped the country to move on from the past. Another way the Revolution betrayed the Enlightenment ideas was when they had Napoleon come up and take control and bring the country back to a monarchy which had a large effect on the people of France who accepted his arrival. The Enlightenment ideqa had a large effect on the French Revolution. These are some reason the Revolution both expanded the ideas of the Enlightenment and also betrayed those ideas.
-Luuk Schmit
Truman Levitt's response
Ideas of the enlightenment were used in the French Revolution, but they were also betrayed quite often. The French said they believed in equality for all men but even though that may be true for the most part they also strayed from that belief quite often in times of crisis such as the case of King Louis. He was just trying to do his job as the king but the country rose up against the monarchy and overthrew him he was executed. He died, leaving his family and wife the wife and kids did not have a fair trial at all the kids were grown in awful conditions and raised to forget they were ever loyalty in the first place. The wife was accused of incest with her son even though that had never happened at all. One of the big beliefs they betrayed was freedom of press and freedom of speech, any time someone tried to mention or even just speak of the monarchy they could be accused of treason and sent to death without even having a fair trial. Also at one point the church was targeted by the French citizens and the priests were thrown out of power and some were jailed or executed, again without a fair trial. That also could technically be betraying the idea of religious freedom as well. One of the largest things is the orders to execute many innocent people even under the smallest belief they were for the monarchy .This is just a few of the many Enlightenment beliefs that were betrayed during the French Revolution
-Callie Barnas-
The Revolution expanded the ideas of the enlightenment in ways such as the creation of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen. This was the first of many revised copies of the French declaration. It stated that the government’s duty was to protect man’s rights to life, liberty and property, and formed a legislative monarchy for which the free men can vote for their representatives in the legislature. Such ideas helped peasants break away from strict rule under a monarch and learn to govern themselves. It also stated in the declaration was that people are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and enlightenment idea that was frequently betrayed by the revolutionists out for blood. Nobles and royalty where thought to be against the revolution would more than likely get their heads cut of and speared if they were unlucky enough to be the target of an angry mob Just during the reign of terror, around 40,000 people were killed. The guillotine did not help improve the situation either, it just provided and easier and more efficient way to decapitate those who were seen as un-loyal to the revolution without even a small trial. Not only were the upper classes victims of the new device, anyone who spoke out against the revolution where targeted as well, violating one of the enlightenment ideas of freedom of speech. Equality was yet another idea betrayed by the revolution, especially in the case of women. Not only did it not state anything about their rights in the declaration, but the women who voiced their unjust situation they were more than likely to be beheaded or imprisoned. Olympe de Gouges was one such female who demanded equal rights only to be executed after expressing her views in public.
I think the French Revolution expanded the idea of a written Constitution, natural rights, freedom of the press, and freedom to assemble. During the French Revolution, the Assembly took a step towards a constitution by making the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. In this document, the French declared that all men were “born and remain free and equal in rights.” They also enjoyed natural rights to “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” Later, the Constitution of 1791 was written creating a limited monarchy. Marat is an example of freedom of press. He ran a newspaper where he expressed all of his ideas on the killing of thousands freely. Also, people were able to assemble to express their ideas. Robespierre and George Danton spoke in front of many people and spread their ideas and beliefs among the people. The French Revolution betrayed the ideas of equality for all men, free speech, and voting for citizens. Towards the end of the revolution, many people were getting killed for doing nothing wrong. They didn’t have a fair trial but instead were brought to the “national razor” and killed. In the beginning of the revolution people were able to say close to whatever they wanted (ex. Robespierre and George Danton) but during the Reign of Terror and Great Fear, people were tried and killed for saying even the slightest thing wrong. Napoleon Bonaparte was asked to help lead the Directory by politicians. He ended up overthrowing the Directory and making himself the emperor of France in 1804. The people had no say in Napoleon being their leader and just had to deal with the fact that he choose himself to lead.
Annabelle Honet
Rebecca Levitt
In the French Revolution some Enlightenment ideas are used in good ways while some of the ideas are betrayed. There were four stages of the French Revolution. In the first stage of the French Revolution (National Assembly Phase) The first and second estates decided to give away their rights privileges- stop collecting dues, no special hunting grounds, legal status, and exemption from taxes. This shows that the enlightenment ideas are showed in a good way because it is making it more equal for all men. But it also betrays the ideas because now women don’t have all the rights. In the second stage of the revolution (Radical Phase) the enlightenment ideas are good. Sans-culottes pushed the revolution and they didn’t want a limited monarchy but instead a representative assembly. This also gives equal rights to men. The third face (The Directory phase betrays the ideas. The reign of terror scared people into following the rules. When Napoleon came and took over the Directory he wanted to be the only power. This gave no separation of power, which betrays the ideas of Enlightenment. Also only propertied people could vote which betrays the idea that everyone has the right to vote for their leader. While these ideas betrayed the idea there was a part that didn’t betray it. The public school systems were established. He also recognized religious freedom for everyone, which is one of the main enlightenment ideas. Even though some of the ideas were good most ideas of Enlightenment were betrayed during the French Revolution.
They expanded the enlightenment idea equality of all men and religious freedom. In 1789 the nobles voted to give away their rights and privileges like, stop collecting dues, no special hunting grounds. In 1790 the national assembly ended the pope’s control over French churches. They betrayed the ideas of all men are equal by not having women equal because there was nothing about equality of women in the declaration of rights. The expanded enlightenment ideas equality for all men, freedom of religion and citizens can vote. Sans-culotte (without preaches) pushed the revolution, they want a monarchy want republic. Radicals created a new national congress which called for universal suffrage for men. Robes Pierre toleration and the abolish of slavery. The betrayed ideas are natural rights life liberty and property. Hasty trials convicted thousands of enemies of the republic and 17,000 were executed (300,000 arrested). The expanded enlightenment ideas are citizens voting for their leaders and separation of powers. The legislative was elected by men with property and professional people. The betrayed idea of citizen’s vote for their leaders. Politicians ask military hero napoleon Bonaparte to help lead the directory by 1795. By 1799 the over turn of the directory and soon names himself king. The expanded ideas were schools were improved not dependent on the church social contract – government derives its power from people not God. They set up state schools to replace religious ones. Organized systems to help poor, old solders, and war widows. enlightenment idea was equality of all men. Major slave revolts so France ends slavery in Caribbean colonies.
Daniel Yates
During the French Revolution, citizens both deceived and brought up new enlightenment ideas. One way the revolution expanded on enlightenment ideas is that the declaration of the rights of man gave French citizens new rights, which the government had to protect, that they never had before. Another way is that the French citizens were trying to break away from the monarchy that they currently had. This is an enlightenment idea because most of the countries back then all had a monarchy based government. A third way is that they were trying to implant religious tolerance so that the citizens did not just have to follow Christianity and wouldn’t be persecuted. The new government also made a social contract that stated that the government gets the power from the people, not god. One way that the French revolution betrayed enlightenment ideas is that they didn’t give equality to all people, especially women. Olympe de Gouges did had a good start at trying to get women their rights, but their rights were simply thrown out when the new leader came in. Since women had no rights, they also weren’t allowed to vote. Just like the kids and slaves. You had to own property and be a male to vote. So this violated the rights to freely vote. Also, they French started executing a lot of people during the reign of terror. They did this because they thought the people getting executed were against the revolution. They also kept executing people who spoke out against the revolution… which also violated the enlightenment ideas of the free speech rights. –Nicholas Ringler
The leaders and supporters of the French Revolution believed in reforming the government so that it gave the average person more power and to supported equality and enlightenment ideas, which is, in theory, a good thing but the steps they took to reach this government strayed from the ideals they wanted the new government to uphold. For example during the more radical days of the Revolution several people were executed without a trail, breaking the enlightenment ideal of equality for all under the law, many people were also held in Jail for long periods of time, coincidentally the Government the Revolution was attempting to overthrow also did many of these things. Also the Committee of Public Safety had absolute power while battling to save the Revolution was responsible for most of the innocents executed during the Revolution, throwing separation of powers out the window and once again breaking the ideal that all citizens are equal under the law. Furthermore the National Assembly attacked the Church, by taking land and taking over the Church the Revolution was not only taking away the right to property but also not promoting religious freedom and tolerance. Last but not least Napoleon’s reign and rise to power break many enlightenment ideals. Napoleons rise to power was very shady, in order to gain popularity he hid many of his defeats through a network of spies and by censoring the press, which didn't just violate the Enlightenment ideal of freedom of the press but was dishonest and extremely suspicious. In conclusion though the Revolution was aiming for something great they broke many of their own beliefs in order to get there.
Frances Van Wordragen
*Alena Ginopolis*
The enlightenment ideas were not only betrayed by the leaders during the French Revolution but also by the mobs, but they didn't only betrayed the enlightenment ideas ideas they helped expand them. The Enlightenment ideas worst red one way by the declaration of the man's rights specifically in article 1 it says that men are born free and remains free and equal in rights, this goes along with the enlightenment idea of natural rights. In 1790 the national assembly placed the Catholic Church under their control in the bishop and priest had to be elected which was a separation of power. The national assembly also had the right to make decisions on war and peace this reflects the enlightenment idea of another separation of power, because everyone is equal before this law, the law makers were elected by taxpaying citizens and they were usually men over the age of 25.
The Revolution both expanded and betrayed the ideas of Enlightenment throughout its stages. One of the notorious betrayals was during the Radical phase, when the Catholic Church was over thrown and cast out in France. France became a godless country, with no relation to Christianity, including their new calendars and 10 day weeks. Even though there was no religion in France at that point, there were many French people that were conservative in their religion or followed Christianity. In this way, France’s ‘government’ was forcing its people to follow their country’s no religion policy. In contrast to this, the French Revolution put into action many Enlightenment ideas, such as the natural rights of man and a social contract. The natural rights of man were put into effect in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, which highlighted French men’s rights in government, including fair trials, taxes, and property, along with other things. In this Declaration was also equality for all men. However, unfortunately, women did not receive such rights until much further down the line. Along with the newly made Declaration, a social contract was also made. After the pushing of the sans-culotte, a form of a republic was made. Gone was the hereditary monarchy and royal family, upon which power had been bestowed by god. The Revolution had its ups and downs, and though it used many Enlightenment ideas, it also went to such extremities at certain points that even some Enlightened thinkers were horrified.
The French Revolution, while its goal being to establish a country based on enlightenment, some of these enlightenment acts ended by betraying the enlightenment ideals. One such act is especially present in the radical phase of the Revolution, which lead to the Reign of Terror. During this phase, while trying to enforce social justice and a more just system for trials and punishments, it became extremely out of control. Trials were no longer fair, most being short and needed very little convincible evidence for the victim to be convicted. Most ended in harsh imprisonment or execution. This sudden burst of brutal punishment and unfair trials eventually lead to a period called the Reign of Terror, in which execution and accusations reached a peak amount, forcing the country into overwhelming fear of being wrongly convicted. This is an example of how an Enlightenment idea morphed into an idea that went against its original goal because it shows how the goal of enforcing trials and just punishment became out of hand in the pressures of war into a violent series of questionable trials against innocent people accused of being enemies. Another example of ideas going against Enlightenment reform is in the Napoleon phase. During this phase, with the original goal being a government with equally spread power and proper rights to man, the government became a competition of power with Napoleon. He battled to become head in power, which conflicted the Enlightenment idea of equal power in government. This resulted in unfair power of other officials and extreme control.
Wallie Hechler
The French Revolution expanded many enlightenment ideas, but they also betrayed some of those ideas that were spread. The revolution started limiting the power of the monarchs and developing a balanced government that was similar to the philosophies. The Government was powered by the people that created reasonable laws. The new laws helped the underclass people gain the same equal rights as others. They then created the Declaration of Man and Citizen. The Declaration was an attempt to create an equal society for men. All men had access to the natural rights of life, liberty, and property and the ability to have a say by voting. This Declaration only included the men and left out women’s rights. They didn’t keep their word to the natural right to life when execution of the first and second estate took place. The 1791 Written Constitution was another way that the monarchy was losing power. People like Robespierre spread the new ideas, but then again these ideas were dropped and people were being executed left and right for the smallest things or even no apparent reasons with no fair trial. Though the Declaration didn’t list the woman’s rights they were still treated like the men with prison and execution. In the mix of these events Napoleon brought back the Monarchy and took control by nominating himself as the leader of France. When he became leader all the enlightenment ideas such as the directory was abolished. These are just a few of many enlightenment ideas that went away.
Caroline Chalifoux
The French Revolution showed ideas that supported enlightenment ideas and at times dismissed the ideas. In the beginning of the Revolution everything started well for France but good times never last. One of the enlightenment ideas that were dismissed was State of Nature. Thomas Hobbes theory of "man is always at a state of war" showed immensely because there were a lot of street riots and killing at the guillotine. Hobbes’s ideas were correct. Without a strong central form of government they can not control the men. They also at times had many rulers in a small amount of time, (ex. National Assembly, King Louis, The Directory, Napoleon, and the Consulate) which isn’t good to keep control of the people. So far the French isn’t looking so good because they’re having a civil war as well as fighting other European empires. On the other hand though the French did manage to acquire equal rights. With the help of Napoleon the French could have public schools with a strict government. He also helped the poor people have better life and they favored that. When the French came up with the Declaration of the Right of Man and Citizen it gave equal power to the people. With that constitution they started going back and bring back those enlightened ideas into their everyday life. Finally the French could have peace with the other empires and keep a strong central form of government.
Bear
The Revolution both expanded and betrayed the Enlightenment by that some leaders didn’t follow those ideas like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. People didn’t like them that they even had them both executed. King Louis XVI did sign to make the Declaration of the Rights of Man, but let me emphasize the word MAN. It was not fair that the men get rights to do things and women can’t. Robespierre knew everything. He had abolished slavery and promoted religious tolerance. He was shot because people thought he was a traitor. He was eventually executed because of his words. He was one of those people who started the reign of terror. He thought terror was the right thing to do but people didn’t believe that. He used the guillotine as one of the threats and eventually was used on him. Napoleon was a supporter of Enlightenment. People even voted for him as many time as possible. Even though he made himself emperor everyone liked him but he eventually gave up the throne to Louis XVIII but he tried to come back but they wouldn’t let him. Napoleon also reformed France. He controlled all prices. He even abolished feudalism. Napoleon builds a empire and he was also a military leader. He had faced a lot of challenges. Nationalism worked against him, Spain and Austria Battle the French and winter stops the grand army were his main problems. When Napoleon gave up the power was not enlightenment but it was still monarchy. As one can see, these are many reasons that the revolution supported and betrayed Enlightenment.-Michelle Lis
Rebecca Gonska
2nd Hour
The French Revolution was a time of war, social outbursts, and political changes. This was also a time full of new ideas and plenty of changes. These new ideas consisted of :
1. Natural rights - life, liberty, property
2. Equality for all men
3. Social Contract - government derives its power from the people, not God
4. Religious freedom
5. Separation of powers - executive, judicial, legislative
6. Written constitution
7. Voting for citizens (ability to pick their leaders)
8. Free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble
9. Schools were improved, not dependent upon the Church
During the French Revolution leaders protesters had believed in "Natural Rights- life, liberty, and property." However this belief was betrayed in the sense that innocent people were executed, taking their right of life away from them. "Equality for all" was betrayed by discriminating against the poor and/or outcasts. The "Social Contract" although, was not betrayed and has been followed for centuries. "Religious Freedom" was not always remembered, and indeed was betrayed. In fact, today this important right still is betrayed in modern society. "Separation of Powers" was betrayed once in awhile because in court, sometimes, they wouldn't properly vote on whether or not they were guilty or innocent. Leaders were rarely voted on by the people. Instead, they "rose to power" it was usually based on military leadership, political knowledge, and/or conquering land.
The enlightenment ideas were very successful in the early days of the revolution and even into the reign of terror, but that was all ended when Napoleon took the throne. The first of many crimes of Napoleon was brutal censorship of the press in order to keep the public misinformed. Also Napoleon abused the separation of power even though he was sort of a democratic leader in the same way that momar kadafi was a ""president". True the schools did improve but rather turning out clergy members who debated how many angels could fit on a pin they turned out soilders who debated how many enemy corpes could fit on the pin.in the end any reform that was made was slaughtered by Napoleon.
By Liam mulligan
During National Assembly, Radical, the Directory, The French Revolution, and Napoleonic phases. The Revolution expands the Enlightenment ideas of the National Assembly for everyone being equal before the law with the Constitution of 1791. It set up a limited monarchy, instead of an absolute monarchy. The National Assembly had the right to create laws, collect taxes, and make decisions on war and peace. Tax paying males were given the opportunity to elect lawmakers if they were over 25 years of age. The Revolution betrayed the Enlightenment by having exactly everyone equal before the law, women were still limited, for an example only the men were allowed to vote for the lawmakers. The women were upset about the Declaration of Rights Men and Citizen, which didn't include anything about equality for both men and women.
Other ideas in the Napoleonic phase of the Revolution expanding ideas of Enlightenment, with the Napoleonic Code it had equality of all citizens, abolished feudalism, and religious toleration. It betrayed it's ideas of equality of all citizens, because it ended up taking away most of women's newly gained rights and men of the households regained all the power to control their wives and children. This showed that Napoleon valued order and authority instead of valuing individual rights of French citizens. Napoleon abolished feudalism by strengthening the government. He first started off with changing "liberty, life and fraternity" to "order, security, and efficiency". He controlled prices, encourages new industry, and built roads and canals, set up a public school system until strict government control, so he could have well trained officials and military laws. Napoleon made peace with the Catholic Church was formed and he kept the church under state control, but recognized religious freedom.
Rohna
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