Enlightenment Influence on the French Revolution and Spain

Enlightenment and the French Revolution

The failure of some Enlightenment authors brought the monarchy and reformism into question. These thinkers committed to violent solutions for social conflicts, leading to the French Revolution. This revolution abolished the monarchy and established a new regime under the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," which embodies the core values of the Enlightenment.

Characteristics of the Spanish Enlightenment

In Spain, the Enlightenment was met with distrust from the Church, which viewed it as a diabolical force. Most of the population rejected the movement due to its foreign origins, labeling Spanish intellectuals who sought to modernize the country as afrancesados. Despite this resistance, French books were translated, and Enlightenment ideas spread through word of mouth among a small but highly influential elite. Although the Inquisition fought against this foreign influence, it failed to stop it. The primary characteristic of the Spanish Enlightenment was the attempt to reconcile rationalism with the Catholic faith, seeking common ground between reason and religion.

Spanish Theater in the 18th Century

Authorities attempted to replace traditional theater with a more educational form of drama, though they largely failed. Notable playwrights and works from this period include:

• Leandro Fernández de Moratín with the play "El sí de las niñas" (The Maidens' Consent).
• García de la Huerta with the play "Raquel".

Marriage of Convenience in Enlightenment Literature

Two prominent 18th-century authors addressed the issue of marriage of convenience:

• Moratín: In his work "El sí de las niñas," he denounces the practice through a story where an older family friend prepares to marry a young daughter.
• José Cadalso: In his "Cartas marruecas" (Moroccan Letters), he adopts the persona of a Moroccan traveler to defend his enlightened ideas and critique social norms.

These authors used their work to defend the Enlightenment ideal of freedom. They argued against forced marriages of convenience, as such arrangements typically only had the consent of one party (the parents) rather than the individuals involved.