how printing has helped to spread the ideas of French Revolution
Answers
Role of print revolution in French Revolution (i) Print popularised the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers. Collectively, their writing provided a critical commentary on tradition, superstition and disposition. They argued for the rule of reason than custom. (ii) They attacked the sacred authority of the Church and despotic power of the state. This eroded the authority of a social order based on tradition. The writings of Voltaire and Rousseau made readers see the world through new eyes, eyes that questioned and were rational and critical. (iii) Secondly, print created a new culture of dialogue and debate. Now all values, norms and institutions were re-evaluated and discussed by the public, now aware of their power to question existing beliefs and ideas. It led to new ideas of social revolution. Thirdly, by the 1780s there was an output of literature that mocked reoyalty and questioned their morality. Cartoons and caricatures presented monarchy interested only in their own pleasures, while the ordinary people suffered immense hardships. Literature spread hostile sentiments against the monarchy, though it was circulated underground. But we must remember that to combat the above ideas was the influence of the Church. If people read Voltaire and Rousseau, they were also exposed to monarchical and Church propoganda. So print did not directly shape their minds, but it made it possible for people to think differently.
Print popularised the ideas of enlightenment thinkers such as John lock, Rousseau etc
Which criticised existing traditional believes and despotism
Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate and argued to question the existing ideas and concepts
Print criticised the life of royalty and challenged the social order through cartoons and caricatures
Literature circulated to the growth of hostile sentiments against the monarchs.