The Great Minds Of The Enlightenment Era - 1042 Words

Atifete Jahjaga, the fourth President of Kosovo states, â€Å"When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation.† At the beginning of the Enlightenment the free market of ideas was open, opinions were appreciated, but most of all, the basic human rights of all people were safe. That all changed at the beginning of the French Revolution. During this time, many people abused their government s power, and often contradicted their own beliefs. Despite the blatant betrayal of the beliefs of the Enlightenment by the Committee of Public Safety, the inspiration driving the†¦show more content†¦During the Reign of Terror, the radicalized committee supported the creation of a new calendar which would eliminate certain religious holidays that France one treasured, but also isolated France from the rest of the world. In the Cahier de doleances, the third estate â€Å"[asked] that the number of religious holidays be reduced† because it could cause â€Å"considerable detriment to the state† also with â€Å"disadvantages of idleness† (Doc. 11). Many felt that the minimizing of religious holidays would provide a more accurate representation of a year while also helping to focus citizens on earthly seasons rather than liturgical. The Committee used these outdated statements to justify creating a calendar that is only being created to make their citizens work more. One concerned citizen, Abbe Sieyes, responded to the proposition of the calendar by stating â€Å"[France’s] customary practices, the many connections [they] have with the practices of peoples in neighboring countries, and the centuries immediately preceding [their] own, all combine, in this respect, to make an obstacle too imposing to overcome† (Doc. 13). Those opposed to the Calendar felt that it would complicate relations with other countries, while also disrespecting what the church has taught. The Committee of Public safety abandoned the values of the Enlightenment era and completely tarnished the Revolution’s purpose. The National Assembly gave every ounce of power they had and devoted it to