Impact Enlightenment had on French Revolution

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The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries, had far-reaching effects on the political makeup of Europe and the New World. One of the most notable effects, occurred when the French people, inspired by the Enlightenment, fought for the notions of equality, liberty, and fraternity. The French sought to cease the corrupt aristocracy of controlled government and institute one that championed individual freedoms and the ideals of the Enlightenment. The French Revolution aspired to and achieved a government and society based on ideals of the Enlightenment.

To cease the corrupt aristocracy of controlled government, Locke’s writings and ideas were introduced. Locke wrote, that the government was not perfect. He also wrote that the government would make mistakes, so he urged the people to not overthrow it. Locked asked the people, all through his writing, to not be angered by the ‘little things’ that occur once in a while, but the long train of crimes committed. One of the main events that occurred during the French Revolution was the “Tennis Court Oath.” ...

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