The impact of the Enlightened philosophes

Question 1

who was voltaire?

Answer 1

favoured Eng gov’t, freedom of speech, criticised the catholic church, republican

Question 2

who was rousseau

Answer 2

collective rights, duties should all be equal, monarchy for the ruling class, social contract

Question 3

who is montesquieu

Answer 3

estates and feudalism should be abolished, constitutional monarchy, no mob rule

Question 4

who is diderot

Answer 4

wrote encylopedie, criticised the catholic church

Question 5

how was the enlightenment not as effective?

Answer 5

• Literature and publications banned
• Printers needed royal licenses to own printers and work had to be approved by a royal censor
• The thriving black market of pamphlets from Geneva
• Both the state and church released a list of banned books

Question 6

how did radical ideas spread

Answer 6

• Pamphlets and books containing enlightenment ideas would be printed in Paris and Lyon
• Appealed to younger second-estate members who didn’t like the outdated views
• The rural population was less illiterate than the cities e.g. Paris-60%
• ideas were spread through coffee houses, academies, salons and other social gatherings in Paris
• academies existed across France and were clubs for intellectuals interested in political and social matters, put on debates and essay competitions. an example was Robespierres Academy in Arras
• freemason meetings
• salons were the gathering of minds that took place in the homes of influential society women, the salonieeres facilitated the dissemination of ideas
• literacy rates were around 60% in urban France

Question 7

what was the impact of the AWI

Answer 7

• Declaration of Independence 1776 by Jefferson drew heavily on enlightenment themes
• implemented Montesquoies idea of separation of powers
• established an executive (the president), whose power was limited by 2 legislative assemblies (Senate and House of Reps) and an independent judiciary.
• equality before the law, security of property and the liberty of citizens was enshrined in the new constitution
• french supplied aid in secret from early 1776 and by 1777 over 5 million lives of aid were sent
• French volunteers joined the war although Lafayette was denied by the Kinng and became a hero of the wars