Ketelbey remarks that “writers of all kinds prepared the French revolution.” In fact, when the political, social and economic conditions in France began to decline, the writers and philosophers invoked a new life in the general masses by their speeches and writings.
They not only condemned the prevailing social system but also showed their resentment and discontentment against the evil practices of the church and thus roused the people from their slumber.
Undoubtedly, the French Revolution sprang from a combination of intellectual ferment and material grievances.
Montesquieu outright rejected the theory of the Divine Right of the kings and he suggested that the king should be selected by the will of the people.
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Voltaire awakened the people from their slumber and acquainted the people, by his ironical and satirical writings, with the highhandedness of the nobles and the clergy.
Rousseau gave the people of France the concept of democracy through his book Social Contract.
He criticised the tyrannical rule of the kings of France and also held them responsible for bringing the country to the brink of revolution by their despotic and arbitrary acts.
Influence of American War of Independence
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England and France were old rivals of each other. In 1775 to the English colonies in Northern America revolted against the British rule. The war of independence continued for eight years from 1775 1783.
France took part in it to help America and crush England, its old enemy. Though America got the upper hand and attained freedom, it caused severe financial blow to France. A prominent historian has remarked:
“French participation in the War of American Independence completely upset the finances of the country.
It cannot be denied that it was the French participation in this war that precipitated the great financial crisis and ultimately led to the French Revolution.”
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No doubt, France, however, could do so much as applying an ointment on its old wounds but this participation in American War of Independence proved very dangerous for France herself as the soldiers who returned to their country after the end of this war, brought with them revolutionary thoughts.
The people of France now realised that no reform could be effective in France, so long as the privileged nobles and priests were present in the country.
They absolutely lost faith in the king and the administrative machinery, for bringing about a change. In order to end this crucial state of affairs in France, they resorted to Revolution.
Webster remarks:
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“This war of American Independence became an eye-opener to the nations of Europe and in particular gave leaders to the French Revolution.”