The French Revolution and Enlightenment

The French Revolution and Enlightenment Introduction “The causes of the French Revolution are complicated, so complicated that a debate still rages among historians regarding origins, causes and results.”1 There are, however, also the arguments that surround the influence, or lack of influence, that was created by the Age of Enlightenment during the time as well. As the student requesting this paper notes, “Some scholars accept as true that the French Revolution and the Enlightenment personified the ideals and objective of the movement. Other historians have viewed the Revolution as a major break with the Enlightenment and what they had stood for.” With this in mind the following paper examines these positions and presents other thoughts as well. The French Revolution and Enlightenment When examining the French Revolution it is perhaps crucial to understand that the foundation of the revolution arose from “the rigid social structure of French society.”2 France was divided into three Estates. There was the first one which was comprised of the clergy, the second one which was comprised of the nobles, and then the third which was comprised of the majority of the people, the workers, the peasants and the poor people. It was a system that was “based on inequalities which were sanctioned by the 1 HistoryGuide.org. “Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution.” http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/lecture11a.html (accessed October 19, 2008). 2 HistoryGuide.org. “Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution.” force of law.”3 In relationship to the Age of Enlightenment it was an age wherein people began to argue that logical and scientific thinking were the answer to life’s questions. It was a form of thought that essentially did away with religion as the answer or reason for everything. HistoryGuide.org notes that, in relationship to the connection between the French Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, “in general, it can be said that there is no causal relationship between the philosophies of the Enlightenment and t