French Rev Essay

Submitted By greekandproud
Words: 772
Pages: 4

The French Revolution did fulfill the ideas of the Enlightenment. The French Revolution idea was brought over across the Atlantic Ocean from the Americas. The French abetted the colonies on their revolution against Britain and France got the same idea to split with its king. It all started when the king locked the 3rd estate out of the court meeting and so they later met in a tennis court and started the writing of the Constitution. They wrote down what they understood should be for everyone. Many disagreed and so began the French Revolution. The French Revolutions initial goal was to overthrow the monarchical system and the belief of absolutism in France. Although it didn't go as intended, although it still was able to convey equality and the idea of the Enlightenment such has separation of powers, religious toleration and natural rights into actuality among the people.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is an example of this Enlightenment idea happening. It talks about how men and citizens are assured religious freedom, freedom of speech and press and inalienable rights. “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights… The purpose of all political associations is the preservation of the natural… rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.” – Articles 1 and 2, Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. This is an example of a John Locke’s idea of natural law and equality under the law, that everyone is born with and it is something that can’t be taken away. Allowed all men to be appointed into public office that should be based on talent and that no group should be except from taxation. This document was a huge step into creating the Constitution. This brought all three estates into one group, the people of France. This is like the Bill of Rights in the U.S that was used to display equality though out the United States. It is the foundation of what the Constitution is based on. This document however didn't talk about the role of women or slavery; it did talk about the citizens implying to those other who weren't men and this was a huge step into finally enlightening France and breaking away from monarchy and its evil tormentor.
The Constitution also played a vast part into bringing the Enlightenment ideas into France. Many people that influenced some articles of this document were Montesquieu, Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau. The French Constitution talks about the guaranteed rights and equality of everyone. It also talks about what can and can’t be done. “That all taxes shall be assessed equally upon all citizens… the legislative power may not make any laws which infringe upon… the Constitution.” – The French Constitution of 1791. The Constitution of the United States is still in place today and it is what we Americans are proud of and what we respect something that gave us our independence. This French Constitution is what helps get their independence from the king and the other estates. It brought the idea