How did Enlightenment ideas influence the French Revolution?

Enlightenment ideas had a profound impact on the French Revolution, as they championed concepts such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. Thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu questioned traditional authorities and argued for the rights of individuals and the importance of reason in governance. This intellectual movement inspired the populace to challenge the existing absolute monarchy and seek a society based on democratic principles.

The emphasis on personal freedoms and the belief in popular sovereignty motivated revolutionaries to fight for systemic change. They sought to overthrow a regime that was seen as oppressive and unjust, aiming to establish a government that represented the will of the people rather than the monarchy alone. The ideas of governance based on reason and social contracts galvanized the movement towards democracy and helped to lay the theoretical foundation for the revolutionary actions that followed.

In contrast, the other choices do not capture the essence of Enlightenment thought. The support for absolute monarchy and a return to feudal systems contradicts the very principles that Enlightenment thinkers critiqued and opposed. Promoting military strength as an ideal was not a core tenet of Enlightenment philosophy, which prioritized rational governance over force. Thus, the correct choice reflects the significant role Enlightenment ideas played in inspiring revolutionary ideals against established autocratic rule