France
- Voltaire used satire to attack censorship and religious intolerance, which challenged both the Catholic Church and the monarchy.
- Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers directly criticized the concentration of authority under the Bourbon monarchy.
- The growth of salons in Paris, often hosted by elite women, spread Enlightenment debate and made political ideas fashionable.
- The Enlightenment contributed to rising discontent with absolutism, feeding into the French Revolution of 1789.
- Monarchs like Louis XV and Louis XVI were hesitant to embrace reforms, showing the limits of Enlightenment influence in France until revolutionary upheaval.
England
- John Locke argued for natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that rulers needed the consent of the governed. This was shaped by the Glorious Revolution (1688), which limited royal power and strengthened Parliament.
- The English Bill of Rights (1689) reflected Enlightenment principles by protecting rights against royal abuse.
- England’s relatively free press compared to France allowed Enlightenment writings to spread more widely.
- Thinkers such as Adam Smith developed new economic theories like laissez-faire and free markets, which influenced Britain’s growing capitalist economy.
- Enlightenment ideas were less revolutionary in England because some reforms were already built into the constitutional monarchy.
Tip
- In France, Enlightenment ideas challenged entrenched absolutism and helped fuel revolution.
- In England, Enlightenment thought worked alongside constitutional reforms already in place, reinforcing gradual political change rather than revolution.
Common Mistake
- Assuming Enlightenment ideas had the same impact everywhere; in reality, the political context (absolutist France vs. constitutional England) shaped how ideas were received.
- Confusing Enlightenment ideas with the actual revolutions (e.g., saying Locke directly caused the American Revolution, instead of noting his influence).
Exam technique
- Always compare the two regions directly in your essay (e.g., “While Locke’s ideas shaped England’s Bill of Rights, Montesquieu’s ideas challenged France’s monarchy”).
- Use specific thinkers linked to political outcomes rather than just describing abstract philosophy. Examiners want impact, not just theory.
Self review
- Compare the political impact of Enlightenment ideas in two European countries during the 17th and 18th centuries.
- To what extent did Enlightenment thinkers in France and England challenge existing political systems?
- How far did Enlightenment thought encourage reform rather than revolution in Europe?
