French Revolution
Enlightenment
The enlightenment was one of the most interesting times in history. In this period there was a considerable amount of philosophical inquiry being devoted to challenging traditional worldviews. Intellectuals began to investigate different forms of state power and questioning what rights people should be given simply because they were human. These were referred to as natural rights and John Locke's version includes the naturally acquired right for everyone to have "life, liberty, and property." These concepts have provided much of the foundation for the same principles that guide the Western world today. The rights that were identified in this period protected the citizens from extreme forms of despotic rule and provided a path for the creation of varying levels self-government in which people began to have a say in the creation and maintenance of authority.
French Revolution
While the enlightenment provided the philosophical frameworks and forms of inquiry...
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