Revolutionary Changes

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Overview

In what ways were the revolutions, expanded literacy, and political ideas linked? (The Earth and Its Peoples, 581)

The revolutions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were directly influenced by political ideas of Enlightenment intellectuals and their students. New ideas were developed by, and extrapolated from, individuals such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet). A growing literacy amongst the people of Europe and the greater western world led to increased questioning of government, the communication and discussion of ideas in public venues, and ultimately said revolution. The scientific method was applied used to dissect the trappings of society, government, and the human mind.

The debt incurred from foreign wars by Great Britain, France and the Netherlands earlier in the century set the stage for the European and American revolutions later. After the Seven Years war, Britain had amassed about £137 million in war debt. These obligations had to be fulfilled somehow, however, the minds of awaiting public now held new ideas, which made them wary of new taxes, and question the very purpose of government and its role in society. In the old rule, or “Ancien Regime” as it was known in France, aristocrats, monarchs, and the Church dictated the structure of society and the aspirations of the state. Now, it was up to the individual to determine his/her own destiny, by choosing free will, and by teaching oneself about the arts, sciences, and anything else that could benefit oneself or society.

The expansion of literacy in the 18th century, stemming from the Enlightenment movement, shaped Europe and the world in a great and lasting manner. Without the invention, adoption...

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...uld be evenly distributed among all citizens of the state. The nobility would lose special hunting rights. These equalities are windowed in the “Legislation” section, with the statement “Their [the laws] perfection is to be humane and just, clear, and general, […] to protect every order and every class equally […]” (The Human Record, 187) The Estates General, essentially representatives of the people, would maintain a larger role in the management of the state. This would include establishment and maintenance of a constitution, the establishment of civic honorary awards (as opposed to hereditary), management of taxes, and involvement in the trial of criminals.

Works Cited

Zinn, Howard. "Untold Truths About the American Revolution." Progressive. Jul 2009. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. .

The Earth and Its Peoples. Bulliet et al.

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