Paper Example on Rousseau's Ideas Impact French Revolution: Declaration of Rights of Man

The ideas of Jean Jacques-Rousseau had a profound impact on French Revolution through his declaration of political and philosophical ideas of enlightenment. These ideas were adopted by the Assembly upon the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen committed to the replacement of ancient regimes with new systems focused on representative government, popular sovereignty, freedom of speech, and equal opportunities for all. The ideas of Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory resonated with revolutionaries such as Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just who viewed themselves as principled egalitarian republicans and devotedly advocated for the abolishment corruption.

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Also, the public opinion in France was influenced by the widespread popularity of Rousseau’s novels which ensured that his political thoughts reached many people than would have been if he was just a political theorist. The influence of Rousseau’s writings on the opinion of the people was evident as it was found in almost all Jacobin Club meeting halls and festivals in France (Hanson 119). Jean Jacques-Rousseau was an enlightenment thinker who advocated for revolution. Through his ideas, the political and social upheavals of the revolution were made possible through the establishment of ferment, evident questioning of faith, and a human purpose to achieve progress. Through enlightenment, people in provincial academies, freemason lodges, and salons discussed and passed enlightenment ideas and also served as social institutions and networks that mobilized the people agitating for French Revolution. Rousseau’s enlightenment writings mentored political activists who sought his works for guidance to regenerate and remake the French society (Hanson 120).

Difference Between Revolutions of 1848 and 1787-89

The main cause which led to the Revolution of 1787-1789 was elites who were dissatisfied with the measures proposed by Charles-Alexandre Calonne who increased taxes on the rich in an attempt to fix deficits in budgets. The budgetary shortfalls were brought about by increased spending on international wars and extravagant architecture which made the country bankrupt thus unable to provide food for hungry and poor people. The aristocrats were reluctant to offset the debts with their wealth but preferred the suffering common people to pay them. The aristocrats went against Calonne’s proposals and ousted him out of office. Jefferson and Brett note that this revolution marked a final attempt for the common people and ended political reconciliation with elites (186).

The Revolutions of 1848, on the other hand, were sequences of political disruptions throughout Europe which essentially started in France as a protest movement by working-class people due to widespread misery against Charles X monarchy and spread to most parts in Europe and Latin America. These revolutions were democratic and affected at least 50 countries but there were no collaborations among revolutionaries across boundaries (Valaskakis 37). Despite playing a prominent role in France, there were little or no political changes but a substantial culture and societal changes were witnessed (Basinger 148). According to Ishiyama and Breuning, the main reasons for these revolutions were the rise of industrial capitalism in Europe and a surge in urbanization accompanied by the expansion of industries (649). Additionally, early capitalism caused a swift economic expansion but working classes faced widespread misery. There was evident poverty, unemployment, and no political voice. Unlike the Revolution of 1787-1789, the Revolutions of 1848 were led by ad hoc alliances of workers, middle classes, and reformers, but did not last long. People died in thousands with many being forced to exile.

The 1787-1789 Revolution involved many regions in France and King Louis XVI had to yield to pressure but remained in power. He reappointed Jacques Necker who was reform-minded as the Minister for Finance, granted press freedom, and the country was flooded with messages which addressed the reconstruction of the state. On the contrary, the 1848 Revolution led to the proclamation of the Second French Republic, defeat and unseating of King Louis Philippe, and an election was held, which divided the country into Orleanist which supported finance and banking bourgeoisie and Bourbons which backed landed aristocracy. The King fled and waves of protests were witnessed in Central and East Europe led by workers and liberals who demanded complete changes in the government and constitutional reforms.

The Revolution of 1787-1789 was largely successful, unlike the 1848 Revolution which failed. The end of the 1787-1789 Revolution saw the peasants call for the abolishment of taxes and abolitions such as head and salt tax. The Assembly abolished tithes, feudal dues, and other taxes. Other benefits offered by the Revolution to the peasants include the sale and confiscation of church property which allowed them to increase their landholding while the urban middle classes acquired rural property and possessed resources to purchase large tracts of land (Fremont-Barnes 277). Additionally, the Assembly moved promptly with reforms such as the abolition of the feudal regime. The Revolution of 1787-1789 became a model for the French Revolution of 1789-1799 which was also successful since the lower classes achieved rights, freedoms, and privileges that permitted them to control their destiny in administration.

Contrarily, the 1848 Revolution failed because of divisions over goals that shattered the ranks of radical revolutionaries and moderate liberals who demanded liberal reforms, constitutional changes, and protests against conservative governments in Europe (Spielvogel, 657). Despite the nationalists revolting together in pursuit of self-government, they achieved little because their efforts were disastrously hampered by division among nationalists. Liberals also gave pulled back on their revolutions as they were concerned about their security, property, and feared that the working classes could start a social revolution, hence the established governments soon had their power back.

Works Cited

Basinger, Rachel. People That Changed the Course of History: The Story of Karl Marx 200 Years After His Birth. Atlantic Publishing Company, 2017.

Fremont-Barnes, Gregory, ed. Encyclopedia of the age of political revolutions and new ideologies, 1760-1815. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007.

Hanson, Paul R. Historical Dictionary of the French Revolution. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015.

Hanson, Paul R. The A to Z of the French Revolution. Vol. 23. Scarecrow Press, 2007.

Ishiyama, John T., and Marijke Breuning, eds. 21st-century political science: A reference handbook. Vol. 1. Sage, 2011.

Jefferson, Thomas, and Brett F. Woods. Thomas Jefferson: Diplomatic Correspondence Paris, 1784-1789. Algora Publishing, 2016.

Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization: Volume II: Since 1500. 8th ed., Cengage Learning, 2014.

Valaskakis, Kimon. Buffets and Breadlines: Is the World Really Broke or Just Grossly Mismanaged? AuthorHouse LLC, 2013.