Term Paper
Question 1
The era of reason was characterized by scientists such as Isaac Newton and philosophers like John Locke challenging the old systems. Publication of the former’s Principia Mathematica marked the beginning of enlightenment. The book contained Newton’s law of universal gravitation that portrayed the world using natural laws that exceeded any spiritual forces (Blake). As the political chaos commenced in England, Locke insisted that people had the right to alter the government, if the present one did not protect their rights to life, liberty, and owning property (Blake). Individuals began questioning the existence of a God that would foreordain his creation to eternal condemnation and strengthen a tyrant king. The new way of thinking changed Europe forever.
American intellectuals read these concepts, too (Blake). The concepts of freedom and progress had the opportunity to prosper. The religious leaders started emphasizing the similarities between the Anglican Church and other congregations, as opposed to the differences. Even Cotton Mother, who believed in the presence of witches, pushed for the immunization of people against smallpox. The immunization drug was invented through science. When Harvard ministers became too liberal, Yale College was established to retain the old ideologies, but the attempt failed (Blake). As the eighteenth century was ending, most of New England ministers converted and began questioning the deity of Christ.
The new concept also shaped the political attitudes. Locke asserted the removal of kings that did not protect the basic rights of the people. Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated that the “general will” of the people governs the society (Blake). Baron De Montesquieu urged for power distribution among executive, legislative, and judicial arms of the government, instead of it being cumulated by one person. American intellectuals absorbed these arguments and used them when declaring independence from Britain. The U.S Constitution is a reflection of the Enlightenment principles.
The old way of life represented a superstitious bitter God and complete submission to power (Blake). The era of reason brought about a new manner of thinking that supported the achievements of people. Science and reason ushered in progress and happiness, and monarchs were obligated to their subjects. The Europeans might have come up with the ideas, but the Americans were the first to execute them.
Question 2
The French Revolution resulted in significant changes in the Western World. The French stood against degrading and restrictive beliefs that had preexisted for centuries (Wilde). The results of the Revolution commenced in 1789 and lasted for almost a decade. The outcomes had numerous social and political effects not only in France but also in Europe. The outcomes were both positive and negative.
The revolution marked the beginning of the end of the monarchy, which was the form of governance across Europe for the past centuries. Even when the monarchy was re-introduced in 1815, the King no longer had all the power. The constitution restricted him, and it prospered in the 19th century. The regulations introduced during Napoleon’s reign spread Republican beliefs across Europe. The regulations still applied even after the restoration of the demoted monarchs. These seeds grew into enlightened democracy throughout Europe.
The most significant batch of rules that arose from the French Revolution was in the “Declaration of Human Rights.” The document gave people the freedom to speech, association, ownership of property, and press (Behrens). The socially discriminative estate system was demolished. It granted the nobles and peasants equal rights and banned the church from dictating the lives of its believers. The concepts spread across Europe during the Napoleon Wars. The new Republican government gave women the chance to lobby for changes and abolished slavery in France’s colonies (Behrens). Napoleon later reversed the two, but the seeds were already sewn.
The revolution triggered decades of war in Europe. Since France anticipated attacks from Prussia and Austria, it defensively declared war. This marked the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, followed by the Napoleonic Wars. Approximately 3.7 million people died during the Napoleon wars (Behrens). The revolution also led to the rise of nationalism. The introduction of a people’s nation brought an end to the absolute gap between the people and the government. The nation reflected the people, which inspired loyalty and devotion in the form of nationalism. A strong national identity is not bad, but it has caused some of the most catastrophic events (Behrens). Japanese nationalism caused massive carnage in China, while Germany’s nationalism led to World War 2. Aside from the tragic events, nationalism can lead to racism and violent extremism.
The French Revolution was stimulated by optimistic Enlightenment concepts brought about by scientists and philosophers, which encouraged the common man to run his own government. The change in administration caused a severe power vacuum, leading to the ultimate failure of the revolution. It allowed radicals to seize power, and accelerate the revolution in the manner that was most favourable to them, causing turmoil within France (Behrens). This led to intense violence and fear, followed by the re-introduction of monarchy, and, a few years later, Napoleon’s dictatorship.
WORKS CITED
Behrens, Alan. Effects of The French Revolution – Positives and Negatives. 8 Jan. 2020, positivenegativeimpact.com/the-french-revolution.
Blake, Davin. “The Impact of Enlightenment in Europe.” Ushistory.org, Independence Hall Association, 2016, www.ushistory.org/us/7a.asp.
Wilde, Robert. “The French Revolution, Its Outcome, and Legacy.” ThoughtCo, 24 May 2019, www.thoughtco.com/consequences-of-the-french-revolution-1221872.