The Enlightenment & Impact of the American Revolution

Question 1

The Enlightenment

Answer 1

An intellectual movement that spread across 18th century Europe

Writers challenged views on religion and monarchy

Question 2

The Philosophes

Answer 2

The Enlightenment’s leading writers & thinkers in France.

Most influential Philosophes in France were Montesquieu, Voltaire & Rousseau, who all expressed a dislike of organised religion & questioned the Ancien Regime

Montesquieu & Voltaire - Both criticised the church and royal authority to some extent

Rousseau - Most radical. Argued that a despotic monarch could be overthrown by his subjects, and that sovereignty resided in the people, not the King. Wrote the Social Contract of 1762 which said all men should be born free and birthright should not exist

Question 3

Salons & Newspapers

Answer 3

Enlightened ideas were often spread through Salons, where ideas such as politics were discussed.

Also spread in newspapers - 3 Newspapers in 1700, 80 by 1785

Question 4

Impact of the American War of Independence

Answer 4

When the 8,000 troops serving in America returned to France in 1783, they brought back renewed ideas of liberty & democracy, and how a ruling authority could be removed