Cultural+Voltaire

Voltaire: Cultural Impact  Kylie Lizardi Voltaire’s beliefs made him one of the most controversial figures in history. His disagreement with religion and liberalness made him a philosopher, as well as an outcast in society. He was banished for ideals that later contributed to the ideas of Enlightenment. “Voltaire was a key figure of the Enlightenment in that he influenced and emboldened those fighting for reason, rights and reform in both Europe and America” (“#69: Voltaire (1694-1779)”). He “emboldened” the “fighting” within a European culture. His “influence” on civil rights and Romanticism left him a notorious figure in Europe. He firmly believed in abolishing torture and inhumane punishments, raising riots and death threats. The time period his rebellion was placed in was very conservative, and did not stray from the norm. Voltaire’s challenging society led to turmoil.

Romanticism was a culture Voltaire desperately longed to save, which France disagreed with. By incorporating tragedies and propaganda, Voltaire increased his infamy. The authors of the International World History Project reveal that, “He returned to a strict classicism in his last plays, but in vain, for the audacities of his own previous tragedies, timid as they were, had paved the way for Romantic drama” (“Voltaire (1694-1778)”). He “returned” to conforming to society because the hatred had become too much. Voltaire’s ideas were severely frowned upon in French society during the 1700’s, but little did they know, Voltaire would “pave the way” for modern philosophy. Voltaire challenged his society, compelled them to think, and in return was shunned. However, 300 years later, Voltaire has become a significant figure in history, stimulating Civil Rights and Romantic Drama.

 Works Cited

"#69: Voltaire (1694-1779)." //Western Culture Global//. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2011.

"Voltaire (1694-1778)." //International World History Project//. Web. 13 Oct. 2011.