Rousseau & Revolutionary France

1. Rousseau & Revolutionary France

2. Rousseau • 1712-1778 • Genevan Philosopher, writer, composer • Philosophy influenced the French Revolution • Famous Writings: Discourse on the Origin of Inequality & On the Social Contract • Was a Philosophe: Public intellectuals who, during the Enlightenment, were devoted to understanding and solving the problems of the world.

3. Jacobin Club • Most influential political club in the development of the French Revolution. • “Jacobin” = radical, left wing, revolutionary • Aided in the implementation of the Reign of Terror

4. Robespierre • French lawyer and politician who influenced the French Revolution. • Was influenced by Rousseau (and Montesquieu) • Positions: Against death penalty, for abolition of slavery, universal suffrage, equal rights, opposed war. • Instrumental during the Reign of Terror

5. Reign of Terror • 5 September 1793 – 28 July 1794 • Period of violence during the French Revolution • Rival between political factions: The Girondins (end monarch, against revolution) and the Jacobins * Mass executions of “enemies of the revolution” – many by guillotine.

6. The Pantheon • Building in Latin Quarter, Paris • Contains remains of distinguished French Citizens • Although he was first met with outrage and censorship, Rousseau was buried here 16 years after his death, eventually being hailed as a national hero in France.

7. Encyclopedie • was a general encyclopedia published in France between 1751 and 1772, with later supplements, revised editions, and translations. • It was edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rondd'Alembert.  • is famous above all for representing the thought of the Enlightenment. • According to Denis Diderot in the article "Encyclopédie", the Encyclopédie's aim was "to change the way people think". • Was meant as a compilation and public dissemination of “all the world’s knowledge” • Rousseau contributed to the publication.

8. Emile • By Rousseau, written in 1762 • A treatise on the nature of education • & on the nature of man • Was banned in 1762, but during the Revolution, it became a model for education. • Starts by dealing with the concept of innate human goodness: “Everything is good as it leaves the hands of the Author of things; everything degenerates in the hands of man.” • Serves as a way for the “natural man” as presented in his “Social Contract” can survive in a corrupt society. • His education methods can be considered a precursor to the modern Montessori method. • He outlines differences between men and women and on educating them. This was the source of much controversy; Mary Wollstonecraft famously responded to Rousseau’s claims. [More on this next time.]

9. “Of the Social Contract” • 1762 • Theory of best way to set up a political community. • “MAN IS BORN FREE, BUT HE IS EVERYWHERE IN CHAINS”

10. Terminology • THE SOVEREIGN: Works for the GREATER COMMON GOOD and is a “general grouping of citizens” • ASSEMBLIES: people must meet regularly to exercise their sovereignty. • Against REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. • DEATH PENALTY: Results if social contract is broken. • TRIBUNATE: Elected mediator between government & sovereign • We are each part of a bigger, indivisible whole.