Why 18th Century was regarded as an Age of Criticism and Rationalism in Europe?

The 18th century was regarded as an age of criticism and rationalism in Europe. The writers and philosophers of France raised several signs of interrogation on the ancient traditions and conventions and awakened the people from their slumbers.

These philosophers contributed a lot to the rise of intellectual revolution by their satirical writings and infused a new spirit of revolution in the people’s hearts. The political situation of France was profoundly affected by the thoughts of the philosophers.

In fact, they made the common masses conscious of the evils of the autocracy of the crown, the nobles and the ecclesiastics. They raised the slogan of liberty, equality and fraternity which later on became the fundamental doctrine of the French Revolution.

The educated middle class people were very much impressed by the thoughts of these intellectuals and they instigated the unprivileged class for a revolution in order to bring about a change in the present social and political structure of France.

In fact, the spirit of the intellectuals was the spirit of revolution. Some of the historians hold the opinion that if there had been no intellectuals, there would have been no revolution in France. But Elton, like other historians, does not agree to this view and opines:

“The writers of the eighteenth century heralded the revolution, but they did not originate it.”

In fact, the writers and the philosophers paved the way on which the revolution advanced. A prominent historian, Madelin, has rightly remarked:

“The revolution was the outcome of realities, but it cannot be denied that without the help of enlightenment, it could not have arisen.”

The most significant philosophers who affected the revolution profoundly were Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau; but the contribution of other intellectuals was also praiseworthy. Paying due regard to other philosophers and writer s, D. M. Ketelbey has observed:

“Writers of all kinds prepared the French Revolution. The writings and propaganda of the philosophers made excellent gunpowder for destroying the monarchy in France, and never before was a revolution so armed with words and phrases.”

Hazen has also referred to the intellectual awakening in France in these words:

“In a land of no parliament (France) the men of letters had come to be the politicians.”