Influence of Enlightenment on August Decrees in 1789
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How far was the passing of the August Decrees in 1789 caused by ideas of the Enlightenment?
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The passing of the August Decrees in 1789 was undoubtedly influenced by ideas of the Enlightenment to a significant extent. The Enlightenment was a period during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe characterized by a focus on reason, science, individual rights, and the rejection of traditional authority. This movement had a profound impact on political thought and social structures, advocating for equality, meritocracy, and the removal of privileged positions based on birthright.
The August Decrees marked a significant shift in the social order of France, abolishing feudalism, removing privileges of the nobility, and putting an end to the collection of tithes by the Church. These actions were in line with Enlightenment ideals that emphasized the rights and freedoms of individuals over the entrenched privileges of a few. The Enlightenment thinkers promoted the idea of a rational and fair society where individuals were judged based on their abilities and merits rather than their social status. The August Decrees reflected this sentiment by dismantling the existing social hierarchy and moving towards a more egalitarian system.
Furthermore, some of the key individuals involved in the passing of the August Decrees, such as the Duc D’Aigullion, had been influenced by Enlightenment ideas during their time in America in the 1770s. Their firsthand experience of revolutionary ideals and the principles of equality and liberty likely played a role in shaping their support for transformative measures in France.
However, it would be reductionist to attribute the passing of the August Decrees solely to Enlightenment principles. The immediate circumstances and pressures faced by the National Constituent Assembly after the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent "Great Fear" also played a crucial role in shaping the decisions of the deputies. The fear of continued unrest and violence, particularly towards property owners, prompted a sense of urgency to address the grievances of the populace and restore order.
In conclusion, while the Enlightenment ideas certainly influenced the passing of the August Decrees by advocating for social and political reforms that aligned with its principles, it was also the pressing need to address the immediate concerns of the society in turmoil that drove the deputies to take drastic measures. The combination of Enlightenment ideals and the exigencies of the time worked together to bring about significant changes in the French social order in 1789.
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How far was the passing of the August Decrees in 1789 caused by ideas of the Enlightenment?
Indicative content: The abolition of feudalism, other privileges of the nobility and tithes gathered by the Church point, clearly, to the influence of the Enlightenment. It placed emphasis on the rational in the running of society and disapproved of the accretion of rights for a select few, sanctioned by custom alone. Aristocratic proponents of the Decrees such as the Duc D’Aigullion had seen service in America in the 1770s and, undoubtedly, were driven by Enlightenment ideas. The August Decrees created a fundamental change to the Ancien Régime. The domination and privilege of the few were stripped away and seemed to herald a society based on the individual, equality, and merit. These ideas were in accord with the Enlightenment. The abolition of the tithe halved the income of the Church. Thus, the influence of the Church would be lessened, something advocates of the Enlightenment strongly favoured.
The view can be challenged. The August Decrees were issued because of the pressure of immediate events. They were designed to restore calm in the country, following the storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789) turmoil was created, which spread from Paris to the countryside. This was known as the ‘Great Fear’ and saw noble families attacked and property destroyed. This frightened the property owners of the National Constituent Assembly, as the attacks on property were made, often, irrespective of whether they were noble owned. They had no means available, however, to restore order by force. Against this background members of the Breton Club felt that only a grand gesture such as completely transforming the nation’s social organisation would calm the peasants and restore order. This heightened atmosphere, it has been suggested, led deputies to go further in their proposals than, perhaps, they first intended.
Candidates might offer a definition of what constituted Enlightenment ideas and organize their response accordingly. This is perfectly acceptable. Accept any other valid responses.