Impact of Enlightenment Philosophers on the Age of Revolution

This essay delves into the transformative period known as the Age of Revolution, examining the profound influence of Enlightenment philosophers on European society and governance. It traces the shift from theocentricism to anthropocentricism, highlighting the contributions of scientists like Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, who challenged traditional religious beliefs and paved the way for scientific advancements. The essay further explores how Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke, Hobbes, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau inspired political revolutions, particularly the French Revolution, by advocating for the rights of common people and challenging monarchical power. It discusses the social and political upheaval in France, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and his impact on Europe through reforms in education, law, and economics. The essay concludes by emphasizing how Napoleon's rule, though authoritarian, solidified many of the revolutionary ideals and reshaped the European landscape.

Running head: AGE OF REVOLUTION
AGE OF REVOLUTION
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1AGE OF REVOLUTION
European revolution was instigated by the revolutionary philosophers whose thought
gave birth to Napoleon Bonaparte. The enlightenment of Europe started with the
enlightenment scientists and the thinkers who brought revolution in the fields of art, science,
religion and the form of government. The mid 1500s was the time, when the world started to
change its perspective. The theocentricism changed into anthropocentricism where the man
was in the center of everything1. The scientists questioned the accepted beliefs traditional by
the religious figures as well as forming new theories to prove their thoughts. This paper
discusses the influence of the enlightened scholars to change the ideology of Europe, the
process of creating stage for revolutions and concludes with the impact of Napoleonic rule in
the history of Europe.
Were the renaissance philosophers activists or inspired major Europeans to
transform the society in terms of knowledge and governance?
The scholars opened new ways in astronomy, mathematics and science which were
purely observation and enquiry based. The scientists like Copernicus, Galileo and Newton
introduced their theories which changed the life of the Europeans for eternity. Despite the
fact these scientists were capable to provide evidences and made new discoveries, they had to
face the rage of the Church because all of their discoveries and inventions were the against
the conventional outlook and beliefs of Christianity. However, this oppression of church on
the revolutionary thinkers could not stop the scientists to explore and popularize their
theories. Hence, they developed various scientific instruments some of which were made for
better observations and new discoveries. Changes took place in the medical science and
anatomy which was once prohibited by the Church. The discoveries in chemistry and physics
paved the way for industrial revolution in Europe.
1 Rothenberg, Gunther E. "The origins, causes, and extension of the wars of the French Revolution and
Napoleon." Warfare in Europe 1792 1815. Routledge, 2017. 47-69.

2AGE OF REVOLUTION
The enlightenment in Europe on the other hand changed the process of governance
and law through various political ideologies. The idea of government changed as the theorists
like John Locke and Hobbes supported the view of political right possessed by the common
people of the country. The concept of power shift from the King to the citizens was the
milestone that later created scope for the French and American revolution2. The philosophers
like Voltaire, Montesquieu and Rousseau were the pioneers whose thoughts ignited the
political situation of France. The old regime in France supported for three social classes.
These thoughts changed the way of governance first in France and then in the whole Europe
thus abolished the concept of monarchy placing power in the hands of the common people.
The enlightenment ideas of these French and Italian philosophers inspired the third
estate because it consisted with the most exploited class who had the least privileges but paid
heavy taxes. This change in the political system, interested them more in bringing the long
desired change. Beside these, the country was under tremendous economic pressure. The
weak leadership of king Louis XVI with his poor decision, disturbed the administrative
hierarchy greatly3. These however created the situation for setting up of national assembly by
the third estate. As the king decided to suppress this assembly, the mob attacked Bastille and
initiated the French revolution. The judicial, administrative and legislative system of
governance changed completely and the perspective towards the women changed4. The
enlightened thinkers changed the traditional perspectives regarding the role of women in the
society for which the women got the scope for education and took art in the politics of the
2 Goodwin, Albert. The friends of liberty: the English democratic movement in the age of the French
Revolution. Routledge, 2016.
3 Tackett, Timothy. Religion, revolution, and regional culture in eighteenth-century France: the ecclesiastical
oath of 1791. Princeton University Press, 2014.
4 Hadfield, Andrew, and Matthew Dimmock. "Introduction." Literature and Popular Culture in Early Modern
England. Routledge, 2016. 15-26.

3AGE OF REVOLUTION
state like men5. Some of the wealthy, influential and educated women decided to bear the
torch of enlightenment ideas.
The enlightenment spread throughout the western world, profoundly influencing the
arts as well as the government. During the 1700s, Paris became the center of enlightenment
and publication of Encyclopedia, spread the knowledge of these enlightened scholars
throughout Europe. In the aspect of art, newer styles replaced the Baroque style of art which
was grand and ornate. The neo classical style of art brought back the Roman and Greek style
again even in the literature and music, the classical style started to be followed. The new and
enlightened composers such as Mozart and Beethoven followed the classical style but made
them more elegant6. The enlightenment in Europe changed the face of monarchy also. The
enlighten ruler like Catherine of Russia abolished capital punishment and physical torture.
The enlightenment in Europe was transmitted to the new world America. Initially,
most of the American states were the colonies of European powers like Britain, Dutch and
Spain. After the French revolution these colonies aimed to end the colonialism by these
powers which arouse the colonial tensions. This growing hostility leads to war and the
Americans brought about their declaration and independence which was based on the
philosophy of Locke7. The Americans though has weak government but established a new
constitution. The federal system of government was introduced where the power was divided
between nation and the states. They protected the interest of the citizens hence passed the bill
of rights by following the philosophies of the European enlightened scholars.
5 Coleman, Charly. "Jonathan Israel. Revolutionary Ideas: An Intellectual History of the French Revolution from
The Rights of Man to Robespierre." (2016): 1366-1367.
6 Goodwin, Albert. The friends of liberty: the English democratic movement in the age of the French
Revolution. Routledge, 2016.
7 Steinberg, Ronen. "Trauma and the Effects of Mass Violence in Revolutionary France: A Critical
Inquiry." Historical Reflections 41.3 (2015).

4AGE OF REVOLUTION
The Europe was at the pinnacle of success and in the midst of political satisfaction but
what caused the emergence of struggle of power that led Napoleon to rise is a worthy to
discuss. The people after the French revolution were under terror8. As there was no such
strong government to rule the country, the national assembly dictated all the national
resources in the name of the rights of man. It seized the land occupied by Church, destroyed
all governmental documents and slaughtered the King. Despite the revolutionaries adopted
the slogan of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’, the division developed among the
revolutionaries. Due to issues like food shortage, debt and threat of attack from other
countries divide the revolutionaries into moderate, radicals and conservatives. In this
situation, the Jacobins, the radicals, took the responsibility of the government. Robespierre
was the leader of this party who led the public safety committee but continued his
dictatorship in the name of safety. The mass slaughtering created terror in France. However,
in 1791, this reign of terror was abolished with the execution of Robespierre9. Towards the
end of 1794, the moderate leaders captured power as the terror shifted public opinion from
the radicals. This however, brought a good change in the legislation in France with a
structured economy and administration.
In 1799, Napoleon seized the power and crowned himself as the emperor of France.
According to the historians Napoleon is the ‘child of French revolution’ who took the
opportunity of anarchy after the revolution and won the support of the common people.
Initially a general in the French war with Britain, Russia and Austria, he became the French
emperor and build the nation which was later became the ideal for other countries of
Europe10. He established new education system and arranged to train the government officials
8 Higonnet, Patrice. "Liberty or Death: The French Revolution. By Peter McPhee (New Haven, Yale University
Press, 2016) 488 pp. $35.00." (2016): 424-425.
9 Anderson, Matthew Smith. Europe in the eighteenth century 1713-1789. Routledge, 2014.
10 Pisarczyk, Kate, Zach Hall, and Nelle Conley. "The French Enlightenment and Two Men: Napoleon
Bonaparte and Beethoven." (2017).

5AGE OF REVOLUTION
for running administration. The Napoleonic code uniformed all the regulations. He set up
national banking system and rearranged tax collection system. He conquered Europe by
extending his territories from Russia, Austria and Sweden. Through brilliant battles he curbed
the power of his enemies and ruled till 1812. The economic reform introduced by Napoleon
strengthened the economy of Europe by weakening Britain. Thus the age of revolution
concluded with the fall of Napoleon.

6AGE OF REVOLUTION
Bibliography:
Anderson, Matthew Smith. Europe in the eighteenth century 1713-1789. Routledge, 2014.
Coleman, Charly. "Jonathan Israel. Revolutionary Ideas: An Intellectual History of the
French Revolution from The Rights of Man to Robespierre." (2016): 1366-1367.
Goodwin, Albert. The friends of liberty: the English democratic movement in the age of the
French Revolution. Routledge, 2016.
Hadfield, Andrew, and Matthew Dimmock. "Introduction." Literature and Popular Culture
in Early Modern England. Routledge, 2016. 15-26.
Higonnet, Patrice. "Liberty or Death: The French Revolution. By Peter McPhee (New Haven,
Yale University Press, 2016) 488 pp. $35.00." (2016): 424-425.
Jones, Colin. "Revolutionary Ideas: An Intellectual History of the French Revolution from
the ‘Rights of Man’to Robespierre." (2015): 252-252.
Pisarczyk, Kate, Zach Hall, and Nelle Conley. "The French Enlightenment and Two Men:
Napoleon Bonaparte and Beethoven." (2017).
Rothenberg, Gunther E. "The origins, causes, and extension of the wars of the French
Revolution and Napoleon." Warfare in Europe 1792 1815. Routledge, 2017. 47-69.
Steinberg, Ronen. "Trauma and the Effects of Mass Violence in Revolutionary France: A
Critical Inquiry." Historical Reflections 41.3 (2015).
Tackett, Timothy. Religion, revolution, and regional culture in eighteenth-century France: the
ecclesiastical oath of 1791. Princeton University Press, 2014.