HIS244H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Age Of Enlightenment, Personal Affair, Toleration
Document Summary
The setting at the end of the 18th century. By the end of the 18th century, the political regimes of europe were increasingly coming under the scrutiny of the public. The emergence of the public sphere came to full force in the 18th century. The enlightenment can be seen as a movement that contributed to the idea that political reforms were possible. Thus, the enlightenment provided the tools for the critical evaluation of european monarchies, and the french monarchy in particular. It brought along new ideas of political systems, but not enough to cause the french revolution. In 1771, louis 15th had appointed a new chancellor maupeou. He decided to replace his parliament with new law courts that he thought would favour his own views. This causes an outrage and the king was accused of being a despot. It also launched a wider debate about the extent and nature of royal power in the public sphere.
