Abstract:
Even a short glimpse at the history of the world allows for a reflection that
some periods of time, rather than others, are marked with a greater commotion and
upheaval. The 18th century, especially its last decades, emerged as a time of both
intellectual and socio-political turmoil leading to far-reaching changes. It was a time
not only of the Industrial Revolution, the movement revolutionising Britain’s industry
and stimulating huge social effects. It likewise was the time of the American War of
Independence and the French Revolution. Those two political disturbances indicated
an enormous potential and yearning for exchanging the old system of principles of
social life based upon tyranny for entirely new ideals based upon democracy,
fraternity, equality and liberty. The glorious mission of the latter, however, backfired
upon its later resorting to terror and even more stigmatising political despotism.
