Question

Describe the contribution of French Philosophers in the French Revolution.

Answer 1

French philosophers of the Enlightenment like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu influenced the French Revolution, fostering the emergence of a society based on reason and pushing for a social and political overhaul.

Step-by-step explanation:

French philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu had a profound influence on the French Revolution. These Enlightenment thinkers championed the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, challenging the traditional doctrines of the period. Their intellectual explorations contributed to a significant shift in thinking, promoting a society based on reason and natural law rather than faith and hereditary privilege.

Voltaire and Rousseau argued for a social contract and governance according to reason, which underscored the principles that fueled revolutionary fervor. Montesquieu's idea of the separation of powers became a driving force behind future democratic governments and was embraced by the framers of the United States Constitution. Additionally, the call for a constitution and the questioning of the French monarchy's power were directly influenced by these Enlightenment philosophes, pushing the third estate towards revolution.

Answer 2

They were the ones who propagated the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became the rallying cry of the revolution. Some of the prominent philosophers who contributed to the revolution were Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas on the social contract and the sovereignty of the people were particularly influential. His ideas were used as a basis for the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was adopted by the National Assembly in 1789.

Voltaire, on the other hand, was a fierce critic of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. His ideas on freedom of speech and religious tolerance were also influential in the revolution.

Montesquieu's ideas on the separation of powers and checks and balances were also incorporated into the new French constitution.

Overall, the French philosophers played a crucial role in shaping the ideas and ideals of the French Revolution, which ultimately led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic in France.