Enlightenment | Historical Eras - History

1650 - 1800

The Enlightenment focused on rationality, people were encouraged to think with reason and not blindly believe what the Church or what another authority says. To improve the educational aspect, the French Encyclopedia was which was a collection of different fields of knowledge and practicality. Free speech was also encouraged.

“If the people’s rights were violated they had the right to overturn the ruler.”

“People were ignorant, and only enlightened people should have the power to control. And everyone should have free speech.”

“The power should always rest at the people and monarchs will listen to them.”

When king Louis XVI became King, France was dragged into many costly wars becoming part of a heavy debt and so he decided to raise the taxes 1897.

There were three estates within France: the Clergy, the Nobles and the Commoners. Many were dissatisfied with the privileges the nobles had, and this led to forcing the king to end all privileges when the Assembly met.

The population divided into two radical groups with different ideas which was followed by a mass execution by the guillotine where both the queen and king was executed. Robespierre who was one of the leaders of the groups also got executed.

Many European countries feared this revolution and formed an alliance against France, France in response had invented compulsory military service which was an effective defense against the allied’s attacks. Under Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule who became the ruler 1801 extended the country to reach over to other European countries. Unfortunately, France was defeated by Russia 1812 and Britain 1815.

Britain had control over the colonies of North America, they controlled that they couldn’t trade with other countries but only with Britain. Britain, instead of the colonies, were the only ones receiving the money from the trades. The people living in the colonies were upset they had no representation in the government.

Year 1773: The Boston Tea Party

Year 1776, 4th of July: American politics declared independence, partly because of the mainstream Enlightenment ideas. According to the declaration, all men were equal, however this didn’t apply for slaves or the American natives.