Enlightened philosophes
- Created by: lou9119
- Created on: 08-04-17 18:30
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- Enlightened philosophes
- The Enlightenment
- Intellectual movement that spread across Europe. Writers and thinkers challenged accepted views about religion, nature and absolute monarchy. They explored ideas of freedom, liberty and equality.
- Philosophes
- Contributed to the important work such as The Encyclopaedia (edited by Diderot and published in 1750-72) It wanted to change the way people thought. Its scientific approach challenged the church who wanted it suppressed.
- 3 main:
- Rousseau:
- Argued the despotic monarch could be overthrown by their subjects and that sovereignty resided in the people rather than the king.
- Voltaire:
- Criticised the catholic church and religious intolerance but believed religions was necessary to provide morals. He defended royal authority but wanted the church and state separate.
- Imprisoned in the Bastille.
- His popular novel "Candide" banned for blasphemy.
- Montesquieu:
- Criticised royal absolutism but argued it was the role of the aristocracy to limit royal power, not the people. He wanted a separation of powers. (Legislative, executive and judiciary)
- Rousseau:
- Salons
- Where enlightened ideas spread. Aristocractic hostess would invite a range of guests to discuss art, literature and politics. Even deals were made here between the King's ministers.
- These were not the only form of word travelling. Cafes and Masonic Lodges as well as the dramatic growth in newspapers.
- Masonic Lodges: Local secret societies set up to fund charities, but more importantly places where men could debate the new idea about society and government. Between 73-79 over 20.000 men joined.
- Newspapers: 3 in 1700, by 85 there were 80.
- American Revolution and War of Independance
- Louis XVI had decided to enter the war in 1778.
- American colonies reolvted against British rule for two years and many became sympathetic in France.
- French aristocrats (Marquis de Lafayette) enlisted in the American forces. When they and 8000 troops returned home they brought new ideas of liberty and democracy plus an idea to over throw political authority.
- Lafayette: Liberal noble who fought in the American War. Appointed commander of the Parisian National Guard, lost support due to his role in the Champ De Mars Massacre. Tried to turn his army on Paris and due to this failure defected to Austria. He returned to France under Napoleon's France.
- The Enlightenment
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