The Enlightenment - French Revolution The captivating images and supportive text work together to teach readers about the impact the French Revolution had on the French people, and the influence it had on the American Revolution. The French Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals and when the ideas began to spread people were newly educated about something they never thought about, and after. In contrast to Parisian artisans, however, who began pushing for a more far-reaching revolution in 179294, large numbers of cultivators hankered for a return to stability in their villages. Because most "refractory priests" (those who refused the oath) lived in the countryside, the Civil Constitutiondesigned to promote national unity and prevent religion from becoming a source of resistance to the Revolutioninstead generated considerable resentment among the peasantry. Locke's work influenced the men who set the American Revolution in motion. WW Norton. In the social contract, individuals agreed to form a political society based on certain conditions, including that the people surrendered many of their rights to a sovereign leaderone with legitimate authorityto protect their lives. The ability of scientists to come to their own conclusions rather than deferring to instilled authority confirmed the capabilities and worth of the individual. Today those ideas serve as the cornerstone of the world's strongest democracies. However, it was English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (15881679) who expanded on the idea when he wrote "Leviathan,"his philosophical response to the English Civil War. Middle class, 3rd estate members who were the "movers and shakers" of the revolution. His work focused on the relationship between human society and the individual, and contributed to the ideas that would lead eventually to the French Revolution. Coffin, J. G., Stacey, R. C., Cole, J., & Symes, C. (2011). L. Hunt, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001 The French Revolution was a momentous historical event that set enduring patterns for modern revolutionary movements and for much of modern politics in general. #4 The Birth of Ideologies. How Did The American Revolution Affect The French Revolution Discuss the main causes of the French Revolution. Social Contract in the French Revolution. A few could claim to be "living nobly," meaning they rented their land to others to work, but many were day-laborers desperate for work in exchange for a place to stay and food to eat.