The Age of the Revolution

Voltaires view of revolution (French Enlightenment thinker): The

revolution began in order to combat inequality, its goals being to
create a fair governing body under which all people could live freely
and happily
In this period, educated people introduced new ideas such as
freedom and human rights which finally led to revolutions in Europe.
Features:
Absolutism
Feudalism declined as many rulers started establishing
countries based on race and culture (called nation-states)
Many rulers toke land and power back from lords and ruled
with absolute power (called absolute monarchs)
Influence of the Renaissance
When the Renaissance started in 14th century, new
developments in art, literature and natural sciences were seen
Renaissance led to a great development in humanism and
changed peoples thinking (more rational and searched for
truth)
The Age of Reason
In the 17th and 18th centuries, some European thinkers had new
ideas on human rights and freedom, which were mostly formed
against absolutism:
Source of power- the power of monarchs comes from the
people and not God
Human rights- People are born equal. They should have the
same rights.
Power to rule a country- people can share the power to rule a
country
Scientists in the Age of Reason
During this period, people inherited new ideas from the
Renaissance
Were independent thinkers and questioned old beliefs and
knowledge
In natural science, Newton and Harvey contributed many
important inventions and findings in their area of study
The Enlightenment
Apart from developments in natural science, some thinkers
during the Age of Reason had new ideas about peoples rights

They talked about the people-government relationship, and

wanted to end inequality in society started period of
Enlightenment in the 18th century throughout Europe

During the Enlightenment, important thinkers such as Locke,

Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau formed important theories
against absolutism:

Enlightenment
Thinkers
Locke: The power of
the government
comes from the
people. If the
government cannot
protect the rights of
the people, the
people have the right
to overthrow the
government (the
Social Contract)
Rousseau: I agree
with Locke. People
are born equal and
free. The power of
the ruler comes from
the people and not
from God, and they
have the right to
overthrow absolute
governments.
Montesquieu: I
believe the powers to
rule should be shared
between three
branches of
government: the
legislature, the
executive and the
judiciary. This
separation of powers
will protect peoples
rights better and
stop absolute rule.
Voltaire: I also
believe the people
should enjoy the

Ruling a nation

Absolute Monarchs

Relationships
between the people
and the
government/the
monarch

People are born

unequal. My power to
rule is given by God
and the people have
to obey me because I
am the person
chosen by God

Sharing of ruling
power

All power should be

in the hands of the
monarch. This can
prevent the country
from disunity again.

Constitution and
personal freedoms

I have unlimited
power. I, not the
constitution, grant

freedoms in speech,
religion, the press,
etc. To ensure that
the people enjoy
these rights and
freedoms, the
monarch should
establish a
constitution and
share power with the
people.

the people freedom.

Following the Renaissance and the Reformation, the Enlightenment

further changed the thinking style of Europeans. They began to
think about the inequality in society and question absolute rule.
They also valued their rights, particularly their right to overthrow a
government that suppressed human rights. The Enlightenment
theories led to the American Revolution and the French Revolution,
and influenced the development of Western thought.
French Revolution- Declaration of the Rights of Man
Soon after the Revolution started, the National Assembly ruled
over France
It ended the special rights of the first two estates
It proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man in August
1789
It stated that
o All people were born free and equal
o All people have freedom of speech, the press, religion
and so on, and the right to work in government
o The government was responsible for protecting these
rights of the people
The Reign of Terror
After Louis XVIs death, radical revolutionaries formed the
Jacobin Party and took control of the government
Under its rule, France was able to defeat its external enemies.
However, it ruled France as a police state As many as
40,000 people were executed from 1793-94.
Period ended with the execution of the radical Jacobin leader
named Robespierre
Influence of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era
Spread of liberalism and nationalism (influenced all)
o Liberalism- belief that all people are born free and equal,
and that all people should enjoy different kinds of
freedom. Politically it is believed that absolute
governments should be overthrown
o Nationalism- belief of the unity among a people, based
on common history, religion, language and customs.

Also a devotion to the interests of ones nation, not the

ruler of the nation.
Influence on France
o Ended in absolute rule in France. Before the Revolution,
Louis XVI ruled France with absolute power. Apart from
the clergy and nobility, the majority of French had no
privileges. With the setting up of the First French
Republic, absolute rule, which had lasted nearly 150
years, came to an end in France.
o Brought two important ideas- liberalism and nationalism
Influence on Europe
o Restoring the order of Europe