Andrew Marr’s History of the World

The Age of Revolution

 

In the 18th century, most people in the world, from France to India, from Russia to China, lived in the long shadow of an absolute ruler. Few would ever see their rulers face or hear their rulers voice. There were no rights to heckle, no talking back.

Then, on January 21, 1793, there was a decisive break in human history. The guillotine had ended the life of King Louis XVI of France and the age of absolute power.

A new way of thinking had bubbled up from Northern Europe. We call it the Enlightenment, an age of reason, in which the bright, clear light of science and learning flushed away the shadows of superstition.

French Revolution
Madame Guillotine

An age where people stood up straight and called for freedom and equality. But for some, the Enlightenment also suggested mankind could simply throw away everything that had gone before and start again. And that would prove to be a tragic mistake.

During this time, there were two great nations leading the Enlightenment. Both expected to dominate humanity, and they were bitter enemies - Britain and France.

Their influence around the world would be huge. Not always for the good, and certainly not quite what they expected. And so the age of Reason, so calm, so cool, would become the hot and bloody Age of Revolution.

Andrew Marr’s History of the World - Age of Revolution
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