Part 10/15:
The 18th century was a period of upheaval. Philosophers like Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau challenged long-held beliefs and inspired revolutionary ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity. The seminal Encyclopédie, edited by Diderot, disseminated revolutionary knowledge across Europe.
Politically, monarchy began to weaken amid economic strains, social disparities, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas. Financial crises and widespread discontent led to the Estates-General’s convocation in 1789. The French Revolution erupted, abolishing the ancien régime, establishing the Rights of Man, and ending centuries of feudal privileges.