Page 37 - Masters Sample Courses

Study Section 18: Writers of the French Revolution 1694-1784

(This is the section 18 in the course, God’s Church Through the Ages)

18.1 Connect

You’ve probably heard of the French Revolution (1789 to 1799). A French doctor named
Joseph Guillotin proposed using an angled blade that would drop from a height and sever the
head of one being executed. He considered that a more humane and almost painless form
of execution. During the French Revolution against the monarchy, the execution of
thousands became a form of entertainment that attracted crowds of spectators. About
2,639 people were guillotined in Paris, most of them over nine months between 1793 and
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1794. Over 50,000 people were shot or died of sickness in prisons.

The French Revolution lasted 10 years. It began on July 14, 1789 when revolutionaries stormed a prison
called the Bastille. The revolution came to an end in 1799 when a general named Napoleon overthrew
the revolutionary government and established the French Consulate with Napoleon as leader.

Why did the French revolt? The people were influenced by the writings of various authors. They
believed what they wrote and acted upon what they believed. Even though their beliefs were not true,
they acted upon them. As a result, thousands died!

Today we will see the sad philosophies that invaded the minds of Europe, but at the same time, see
those who stood for truth as a light in the dark times. Let’s learn together….

18.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain the philosophies of Rousseau and Voltaire and
describe how their ideas lead to the French Revolution.

2. The student should be able to present a biography of John Bunyan and describe how God
mightily used him in bringing people to Christ.

3. The student should be able to describe the Great Awakening and those individuals involved in its
movement.

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18.3 Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) –
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer and composer.
His political philosophy influenced the progress of the Enlightenment
throughout Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the
development of modern political, economic and educational thought.

1 https://www.history.com/topics/france/french-revolution
2 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Jacques-Rousseau