Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the French Revolution

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the political and social concepts that Rousseau wrote about in his famous work, "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men ". The paper looks at how Rousseau's writings may have helped bring about the French Revolution, the American Revolution, and even the modern feminist movement. The paper also discusses how much of Rousseau's writings continue to have relevance and influence on society today and draws comparisons between John Locke's writings and Rousseau's writings.

From the Paper:

"It is ironic that the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau can be considered feminist in nature; Marie Antoinette was tried for treason and guillotined four years after the French Revolution erupted, becoming perhaps the most famous woman of the "old order" in history. She had been guilty of the excesses of the French Court at the time of the French Revolution, even though historians note that she had tried, in the final years of her husband's reign, to mend her extravagant ways and appear more often as a doting mother, simply dressed and coiffed."

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