The French Revolution was a horrific bloodbath in which over 40,000 people were killed via the guillotine. From 1789 to 1799, revolutionaries in France rebelled against King Louis XVI. Rebels were fighting to end absolute monarchy in France and demanded a new form of government, specifically a constitutional monarchy. The fundamental cause of the French Revolution was the Enlightenment ideas because they empowered the people to revolt against their government.
The Enlightenment ideas were a set of theories that declared political problems can be solved through logic and reason. The Enlightenment ideas also challenged the concept of Kings having divine right. One of the famous advocates of the Enlightenment was John
Locke. He made a great conclusion about government which fully justified the French Revolution. His conclusion stated that any and every government is obligated to protect its citizens’ natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Not only does the government have to ensure these rights, but if they fail to do so, the people have the freedom to rebel against their government. The evidence provided proves that the Enlightenment ideas promoted the initiation of the French Revolution and encouraged people to participate throughout the Revolution.
The central cause of the French Revolution was the Enlightenment ideas due to the unquestionable role they played in supporting the French Revolution.