Final answer:
The question pertains to the role of the Jacobins and Enlightenment philosophers during the French Revolution. Jacobins, under Robespierre, sought to create a reason-based society, while philosophes like Voltaire and Rousseau influenced democratic ideals. These efforts and the emergence of leaders like Napoleon marked significant transformations in French politics and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Jacobins and Philosophes during the French Revolution
The Jacobins played a critical role during the French Revolution, especially under the leadership of Maximilien de Robespierre. Embracing Enlightenment ideas, they sought to establish a culture based on reason and virtue, distancing state powers from the influence of the Catholic Church. The Jacobins' measures included dechristianization efforts such as turning Notre Dame into a temple of reason and introducing a republican calendar. However, these changes met with resistance and were eventually reversed after their rule.
The Enlightenment thinkers or philosophes like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu significantly influenced political thought. They advocated for a society based on reason, a civil order rooted in natural law, and the separation of governmental powers, laying the foundational concepts for modern democracy. Rousseau, in his The Social Contract, famously argued that the king's power emanated from the will of the people and could be revoked by them.
During the Reign of Terror, the Jacobins' radicalism peaked, culminating in the establishment of the Cult of Reason and revolutionary changes in French culture and governance. Post-revolution, figures like Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence, continuing the trend of strong leadership witnessed throughout the period.