History of Europe

3 French writers who attacked the old regime were?

Voltaire:

- Published novels, plays, and essays that mocked and ridiculed the aristocracy, the Catholic Church, and the Ancien Régime.

- In 1764, he published "Philosophical Dictionary," a work that denounced religious superstitions and attacked the foundations of the established church.

Rousseau:

- Argued for a return to nature and advocated for a more egalitarian society, contrasting with the oppressive structure of the Ancien Regime.

- His works "The Social Contract" and "Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men" influenced the philosophical and political thought of the time and contributed to the growing critique of the old order.

Diderot:

- Chief editor of the "Encyclopédie," a vast collection of knowledge that aimed to compile and disseminate all human knowledge, challenging traditional authorities and the power structures of the old regime.

- In his writings, Diderot expressed support for democracy and civil rights and opposed religious orthodoxy and political despotism, making him a prominent figure in the Enlightenment movement.