1700-1871 - The age of Enlightenment. This period can be situated between the death ofLouis XIV, in 1715, and the 9th November 1799, when the future emperor NapoleonBonaparte took power. The intervening period may be divided into several stages: firstthe Regency, followed by the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, and finally the FrenchRevolution. France, the most populated country in Europe, was to experience almost eighty years ofdomestic peace and economic prosperity. With the emergence of the philosophical spiritin salons, cafes and clubs, came the gradual erosion of monarchical authority.Strengthened by their new-found financial power, the capitalistic bourgeoisie showedclear signs of wanting to annex political power, an ambition that would be achieved from1789 onwards. In the domain of the arts, the ageing Louis XIV hoped to see "childhood instilled ineverything." Under the Regency, this trend of light heartedness became more pronouncedand was to flourish during the reign of Louis XV. The widespread taste for elegance,comfort and beautiful objects even infiltrated the ranks of the bourgeosie. But, in thesecond half of the century, the philosophers reacted against society's libertine tendencies.They advocated a return to the virtues of the Ancient and Republican Rome, the majorityof which would be adopted as the revolutionary ideal. During this time period, people would pay taxes called tithes to the church. You couldalso pay Indulgences to Church and be forgiven of your sins. Common believe was thatthe more money you paid in indulgences the better chance you had of going to heaven.The Church of this period is considered by many historians to be a manipulative,influencial and powerful force.Some key figures of this Period are the French Philosophe Voltaire and the King of thetime Louis XVI.VoltaireBorn on November 21, 1694 in Paris. Voltaire's style, wit, intelligence and keen sense ofjustice made him one of France's greatest write...
