Revolutionary+Beliefs

What were some of the beliefs that lead to French Revolution?

=**The Ideas and Influences of French Revolution**=

The Enlightenment:
The Enlightenment or Age of Reason came up with ideas of new politics such as democracyand rights of men. These new ideas challenged the traditional concepts- absolute monarchy, feudalism and established religion. The philosophes’ ideas were targeted to the monarchs and churches. They thought those systems were harming people and limiting their power. For example, John Locke, an English philosophe argued that people had right to decide who to govern them; if not liked by citizens, then they can replace him with other governor. Also, he believed that people were born with natural rights. Locke encouraged the idea of more power given to people.

**Voices of People**
The people of France were treated unfairly compared to the upper classes. People had gathered their opinions to improve the living conditions. These were considered radical in 1789:

Art.3. French citizens should regard as laws of the kingdom only those that have been prepared by the National Assembly and approved by the king.

Art.10. Representatives of the Third Estate (the peasants) should behave in the same way as the representatives of the First and Second Estates when they address the king.

Art.17. All distinctions in punishments shall be abolished (ended). Crimes committed by citizens of the different Estates shall be punished under the same law and in the same manner.

Art.21 No tax shall be legal unless accepted by the representatives of the people and approved by the king.

By looking at what they wanted, we can see that people of France sought equality.

**Influence of American Revolution**
Although the ideas of Enlightenment started in France, the first revolution to take place was the America. The colonists, who were also affected by the bright new ideas decided to separate away from their mother country, the Great Britain. About that time, France was getting ready for their own revolution, but they weren’t confident about it. If they fail in the revolution, the only thing they will get is execution or death. France decided to sit and watch Americans fight Britain. It took several years, but at the end, America had won. Thinking that they could also win since America had gained their independence, the French Revolution started.


 * France Flag. Blue symbolizes freedom, white symbolizes equality and red symbolizes benevolence.**


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