The Enlightenment Period and Napoleon's Rule Essay

Name Subject Professor Date Enlightenment Influence on Political, Social and Cultural Policies of French Revolutionary Period. The age of enlightenment led by influential intellectuals during the 18th century Europe greatly inspired the French citizens, especially the peasants, leading to the revolutionary period culminating from 1789 to 1799. The enlightenment is hailed as the foundation of today’s western political and intellectual culture.1 Growth of liberal democracies and democracies

members made up 98 percent of the Third Estate, but even so, could still be outvoted by the Nobels and Aristocrats. After being silenced for so long by the higher classes on matters of state, the lower class began to read and foster ideas about the Enlightenment. Armed with such knowledge, members of the lower class began question why they were forced to live without say in their government. At this point, the Third Estate began to mobilize support for equal representation and rally for the abolishment

Europe went through many trials of major events, both good and bad, that gave people new outlooks on the world and changed many of their lives. In particular, the way art was developed and appreciated changed dramatically in most part because of the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. Soon enough art would become a way for people, (even those without high-level education) to express themselves. The new styles of architecture and visual arts that Napoleon introduced in France sparked new eras of art like Romanticism

of many European states. The rise of democracy and fall of monarchism begins with the French Revolution. The era was brought about by the French citizens who wanted to redesign the political system of France and rid of the monarchist and absolutist rule. In the 18th century, low economic levels and heightened debt put many people and families in poverty while prices of necessities skyrocketed. The people of the lower and middle classes were forced to make changes in order to improve the lives of their

established a new republic. In France, protesters abolished the authority of France and reorganized the French society, and Latin America sought liberty from Spain’s control. One thing all three revolutions had in common was that they were inspired by Enlightenment ideas. Since the development of these revolutions were encouraged by specific motives, they began to

because he ended the French Revolution through a plebiscite, set up lycees in France where the concept of meritocracy was established, and ended corruption, and inefficiency in the government through the National Bank. Despite Napoleon’s contentious actions, and questionable rule at times, Napoleon sustained

promoting positive change in areas such as war, finances, and social classes. Without change, the country could not grow and find success. The demand for change was formulated in terms of Enlightenment ideals. Therefore, the Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, experienced violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napoleon that rapidly brought many of its principles to Western Europe and beyond. The lack of political control directly

Both Maximilien Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte used the revolution as a wave they rode to the power. Without the revolution, neither of them would have gotten to the position that they did. It is true that they both had to work themselves up to get there. They went to schools to educate themselves and the revolution liked the people who were educated. People like lawyers and doctors were voted to the National Assembly to represent the common people of France. A lot of the well-educated people

Burns, James MacGregor. Fire and Light: How the Enlightenment Transformed Our World. 1st Ed. New York: St. Martin's, October 2013. Print. 388 pages hardcover, 280 pages text. Borrowed text from Heritage Park Regional library. The Enlightenment era of Western Europe took place throughout the 17th and 18th centuries and revolutionized thought and culture from religious to rational. European life before the Enlightenment was determined by class order. However, because people were trapped in the class

keep the dialogue of the French Revolution out of her empire. Her consolidation of the social classes served to keep people in their place while simultaneously giving her more structure and stability over her empire. These rulers showcase a style of rule that is oppressive, unequal, and yet wildly