Question

Which of the following French thinkers influenced the French Revolution?

1. Voltaire
2. Rousseau
3. Montesquieu
4. Socrates
5. Plato

• A. i, ii, iii
• B. iii only
• C. All
• D. iv, v

Answer 1

Answer:

A. i, ii, iii

The French Revolution

• "In France, nine-tenths of the population died of hunger and one tenth of indigestion"

• It is clear from this that while the majority in France lived in misery a minority, including the rulers, led a life of luxury and extravagance.

• The French society was divided into three strata and they were known as the Estates.

Voltaire

• Ridiculed the exploitation of clergy.

• Promoted rational thinking, ideals of equality and humanism

Rousseau

• Spelled out the importance of freedom with the statement,

'Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains'.

• Declared that the people are the sovereign.

Montesquieu

• Suggested division of powers of the government into legislature, executive, and judiciary

• Encouraged democracy and the Republic.