jeanjacquesr-blog

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Liberal phase- 1

In 1791, the royal family’s flight to Varennes, a failed attempt to escape to Austria, was significant, because it represented the death of any chance of a constitutional monarchy in France, and marked the end of any trust between king and the rebels. The flight to Varennes ruined all prospects of France being ruled as a constitutional monarchy, as inspired by Montesquieu, and steered into a period of republicanism, inspired to a great extent by me (Channel, History). I believe that absolutism is caused by force, and I do not understand how people are able to think or do anything for themselves when they are put into a government like this (Humanities). This is why I think that the outcome of the Flight to Varennes was significant, because it enlightened the citizens of France to start thinking for themselves, and changed France from a constitutional monarchy, into a republic, where people's ideas were heard, and were allowed to elect representatives. I think that all men are created equal, and in order to be free, I believe that power needs to be given to the people. Therefore, I think that the outcome of the Flight to Varennes (leading to the first French republic) upheld the values of the enlightenment, because it allowed people to start thinking for themselves, instead of being controlled by a monarch.

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Liberal phase- 2

The declaration of the Rights of Man should have been written, as people started to value the natural right of human because of it, which shows that the first phase upheld the values of the enlightenment. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was a document written during the French revolution in 1789. The representatives of the French citizens, gathered together in a National Assembly, and agreed that the disregard of the rights of man was the main cause of public distress, and government corruptions (National Assembly). The Declaration of the Rights of Man had a great connection to many of the things I believed in, and that is why I think it was one of the most valuable documents of the French revolution. I believe that all men are created equal, and I also believe that power should be given to the people and they should be able to elect representatives, which are all points represented in this document. Also, the Declaration was influenced to a certain extent by my general will, which is the concept that the state represents the common will of the citizens, and was also influenced by Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers (The French Revolution). I think this was the greatest document of the first phase of the French revolution, as it outlined many of the important areas of enlightenment, for example “Men are born free, and remain free and equal in rights,” (National Assembly) which is a significant element of enlightenment thinking. However, there are some philosophers such as Hobbes who would completely disagree with this document, and would believe that everything mentioned is wrong. Hobbes would say that although all men are created equal, as stated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man, he believes this is a negative thing, as it causes destruction because there is not one leader in control, and everyone will think they are superior to others (Hobbes, Thomas). I do not understand how Hobbes could disagree with the enlightenment, and force people into thinking that being ruled under a monarch is the best form of government.

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Liberal phase- 3

In 1789 Emmanuel Sieyes wrote a document “What is the third estate?” in it, he declared that the the third estate “is everything” (Sieyes, Emmanuel). I agree with this statement, as it gives light to the common people (third estate), and shows that sieyes gives them power, which I think is a good thing. This document upheld the values of the enlightenment, because just like I believe that power should belong to the people, “What is the third estate?” also gives power to the people. I also think my “General will” influenced Sieyes’ because the general will is the will of people as a whole, and the Sieyes is saying that he thinks the power should belong to the people. Sieyes also says that “If the privileged order should be abolished, the nation would be nothing less, but something more,” meaning that if the people of France had freedom, they would be so much more, than what they are now, because he is saying that if the nobles and the clergy did not have all the power, then the third estate would have freedom, making them something more than they already are. Immanuel Kant would have also agreed with “What is the third estate?,” because he believes that freedom can only be found through rational action (Kant, Immanuel), therefore he would say that abolishing the privileged orders would be a rational thing to do in order to give the third estate freedom.

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Radical phase- 1

I’m not too sure what to think of The Constitution of 1793. I agree with most of it, but when I found out that Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers was part of it, I started to get different ideas. The constitution of 1793 marked the beginning of the republican constitution. This meant that the people of France were being represented, and there was a separation of powers (The French Republic), which was inspired by Montesquieu (Montesquieu). Although I completely disagree with Montesquieu's separation of powers, because I believe that all power should belong to the people that follow the general will (Humanities), I think this was a good thing for France, because it upheld the values of the Enlightenment, as it allowed people to express their own interests, and the power was shared between all branches of government (CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION). The constitution also says that the election is decided by absolute majority. This is something I agree with, and is what my general will talks about, saying that the national representation should be chosen through will of the majority, and that those who ruled did so with the willing consent of people. This is a good form of government, because although people are not completely free, they are still able to vote for representatives, and they are not under the absolute rule of one monarch preventing them from having any say. However, ideally it would have been better if people entered the social contract, and gave all their rights to the whole community rather than to a king.

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Radical phase- 2

In Robespierre’s “republic of virtue,” he is saying that he wants to create a republic as a way for people to be in a society, where they seek for the happiness of other people, rather than their own benefit (Robespierre, Maximilien). His aim was to create a peaceful community of liberty and equality, but he thought he could achieve this by killing everyone who opposed the revolution. I do not think this is a good idea, killing is irrational, and goes against ideas of the enlightenment. Nonetheless, when Robespierre says “Subdue by terror the enemies of liberty, and you will be right, as founders of the Republic,” it does uphold the values of the enlightenment, because he is saying that if you conquer the enemies of liberty by terror you will be right, which shows enlightenment thinking as he is saying that he thinks people need liberty in order to be right.

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Radical phase- 3

Along with the Reign of Terror, people lost their freedom of speech, if anyone said anything that referred to the time before the Reign of Terror was immediately suspected to be a counter revolutionary, and was tried then killed (History Channel). This ruined France, as people were being controlled by the government, and did not have a say in anything. I do not understand how Robespierre could have thought this was going to be a good idea. ���To strip him of all freedom of will is to strip his actions of all morality,” (Humanities). When I say this, i mean that stripping someone of their freedom of speech is depriving them from becoming enlightened, and thinking for themselves. It now makes sense why it’s called the Reign of Terror.

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Napoleonic phase- 1

Napoleon’s Coup D'etat brought an end to the directory in France, and Napoleon wanted to create a new form of government of enlightened absolutism, which is inspired by Voltaire (The French Revolution), this kept the sovereignty of the state undivided, which I agree with, however it was not given to the people, instead it was given to the monarch, which Voltaire would have agreed with. I think giving power to a monarch is the worst thing a government can do, because I do not believe that you are a whole person if someone is taking your freedom. The directory was overthrown by Napoleon in 1799, because he felt that it was not helping the people of France, and in its place he created a triumvirate, and became the first consulate. I disagree that the power should be given to the consulate, however the fact that they creating a meritocracy showed enlightenment thinking.  

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Napoleonic phase- 2

I disagree with Napoleon giving France religious freedom, because I believe that religion weakens the state. The only type of religion I think would not ruin a state is a civil religion, which still accepts god, but concentrates more on governing the people (CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION). I also believe that any type of religion that would destroy social unity is worthless, therefore having freedom of religion, and allowing protestant religions would be a bad idea. Making christianity the dominant religion in France was also a really bad idea, christianity is a spiritual religion, and takes away from man's love for life on earth (Caplan, Bryan). In consequence, Christians become too detached from the real world, which would also lead to bad soldiers (if the soldiers were Christian). Therefore, civil religion is the only type of religion that would work, because it joins divine worship, to maintaining the law.

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Napoleonic Phase- 3

The civil code really upheld the values of the Enlightenment, it abolished nobility, which is what upheld the values most. Abolishing nobility, and promoting equality and freedom of education finally gave the citizens of France some time to think for themselves. Although this does uphold the values of the enlightenment, preventing freedom of speech was not something i agree with, or the Enlightenment would agree with (Humanities). Additionally, as I mentioned before, allowing freedom of religion was also a bad idea, as freedom of religion would just confuse the state, making them too detached from the real world. In my opinion, allowing freedom of speech, and forming a civil religion would have helped France much more, as it would help society, while allowing them to have freedom of speech, which is one of the many points of the Enlightenment.      

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Works cited

Caplan, Bryan. "Rousseau and Religion."Http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/rousseau.txt. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2015. <http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/rousseau.txt>.

"CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION." BRIA 20 2 C Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government. N.p., Spring 2004. Web. June 2015. <http://www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-20-2-c-hobbes-locke-montesquieu-and-rousseau-on-government.html>.

History Channel. "The French Revolution [Documentary] [History Channel]." YouTube. YouTube, 1 Oct. 2014. Web. June 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyXcUMftRs8>.

Hobbes, Thomas, Leviathan (1651). Grade 9 sourcebook. 11 June 2015.

Humanities. "KEY EXCERPTS FROM ROUSSEAU’S PHILOSOPHICAL WORK." (n.d.): 1-9. Humanities.wisc.edu. Web. <http://humanities.wisc.edu/assets/misc/Key_Excerpts_from_Rousseau%E2%80%99s_Philosophical_Work.pdf>.

Kant, Immanuel. What is Enlightenment (1784). Grade 9 sourcebook 45. 11 June 2015.

Montesquieu, Baron de, The Spirit of the Laws (1748). Grade 9 sourcebook. 11 June 2015.

"PBS.Napoleon 2 of 4 Mastering Luck." YouTube. YouTube, Mar. 2012. Web. 11 June 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVRP4vooztY>.

Robespierre, Maximilien. Republic of Virtue (5 February 1794) (1794): 1-2.Http://www.bretrodgers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MaximilienRobespierreRepublicofVirtue.pdf. BretRodgers, 2012. Web.

Sieyes, Emmanuel. "What Is the Third Estate?" What Is the Third Estate?(1789): 1. Http://www.bretrodgers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WhatistheThirdEstate1789Sieyescut.pdf. 2012. Web. June 2015.

The French Republic. "Constitution of 1793." (1793): n. pag.Http://www.bretrodgers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TheConstitutionof1793.pdf. 2012. Web. 11 June 2015.

"The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies." The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies. N.p., May 1989. Web. 09 June 2015. <http://www.historytoday.com/maurice-cranston/french-revolution-ideas-and-ideologies>.

The National Assembly. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. N.p.: Great Neck, 2009. Bretrodgers.com. 2012. Web. <http://www.bretrodgers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DeclarationoftheRightsofManandoftheCitizen1789.pdf>.