How Did The Enlightenment Change France's Approach To Political Power

France’s approach to political power changed many times throughout history. In the beginning of the 18th century, France’s government was a hereditary monarchy: a form of rule prevalent throughout Europe at that time. Ruling France’s hereditary monarchy were the Bourbons. Prior to 1789, there were clear indications that “the government was economically, politically, and militarily bankrupt.” These were some of the events that foreshadowed the imminent collapse of the Bourbons. Whether Bourbon or Constitutional, monarchies were ultimately not an effective form of government in France. Because of this, France strayed from a new form of monarchy and became a democracy. Additionally, through the abandonment of monarchies came the creation of the
Enlightenment is defined as, “a philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism.” Religion, specifically Christianity, was something that separated Europe from the rest of the world. Countries used religion to define the law and govern society. Enlightenment significantly impacted the instigation of religious change. The effects of Enlightenment on religion were most prominent during the French Revolution, as criticisms of Christianity were prevalent in society. Therefore, religion became a prime target of the French Revolution. In addition to changing religious views, Enlightenment provoked movements of equality and freedom in society. Verbalized through Jean Jacques Rousseau's Du Contrat Social, he said “MAN is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.” He conveys in this that although man is born “free” in society, he maintains his freedom through conforming to social norms. This is an example of one of the literature pieces from Enlightenment that fueled movements. Additional pieces of literature include the Declaration of Rights of Man, a document declaring the birth-given rights to