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How Did Voltaire Influence The American Revolution

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During the Age of Enlightenment philosophers were common, but perhaps one of the greatest was Voltaire. Voltaire was a French philosopher and writer who inspired many people during his time. He was an outspoken supporter of religious toleration and encouraged freedom of speech, which he conveyed in many of his literary works. Voltaire was a deist. A deist is someone who believes that God created the world, but does not interfere; he allows the natural laws to take care of everything. Along with other important philosophers Voltaire’s ideas influenced important people of the French and American Revolutions.

François-Marie d’Arouet-commonly known as Voltaire- was born on November 21, 1694 to François Arouet and Marie Marguerite d’Aumart in Paris, France. He was born into a well-respected family; his father was a notary and his mother was from a noble family. On several accounts Voltaire stated that he didn’t believe that his so called father was his biological father. He believed that his actual father was a songwriter and that his birthdate was also a lie. This was never fully proven, but he continued to argue that it was true. Voltaire never showed any interest in his father, being distant from him since childhood. His mother passed away when he was just seven years old, causing him …show more content…

“Lettres philosophiques” describes the English political system and then ends with an attack on Pascal for his optimistic views on religion. He was exiled once again, this time he lived with Émilie du Châtelet in France. Voltaire and Émilie became lovers and partners until the death of Émilie in 1749. After her death, Voltaire moved to Potsdam to work for Fredrick the Great. Unfortunately Voltaire attacked in his writing the president of the Berlin Academy of science, which resulted in Voltaire running away to avoid

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