The ideas of the Enlightened philosophes: extent of influence in France; the salons; impact of the American revolution and War of Independence
Enlightenment thinkers called philosophes challenged the idea that kings had a God-given right to rule. Their ideas spread through French society and helped people imagine a different kind of government.
Real World
The Marquis de Lafayette fought alongside Washington in the American Revolution, then returned to France in 1789 to draft the Declaration of the Rights of Man — a direct transplant of American revolutionary ideas into the French context.
Exam Focus
When assessing philosophe influence, distinguish between elite salon culture and mass impact; examiners penalise answers that overstate how widely these ideas spread.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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