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This website will explore four of the greatest political revolutionaries of all time.  Each one of them were influential in drastic change in their countries in their own ways.

 

Friedrich Nietzsche-Taylor Young

Revolutionary because:

• Was one of the first people to openly oppose idealism
  • Believed the world was more than just how people perceive it in their minds
  • Placed an importance on the concrete objects in the world that people can physically see and touch the world in which objects are no more than collections or “bundles” of sense data in the perceiver

• Was adamant about people do not need validation in regards to their actions and thoughts
  • Was quoted saying “no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself”
  • Believed that a person owns their ideas and beliefs and there is no need for outside validation.
  • This idea also required people to take ownership of their actions

• Was influenced by the French Enlightenment
  • Many people had blindly followed the government and church for a long time
  • During the French Enlightenment that people began to question these governing bodies and their actions
  • People began asking question and seeking out their own answers
  • Knowledge and learning was self-directed
  • Was a dynamic movement which provided change throughout the whole country

John Stuart Mill by Bailey McGrady

Revolutionary because:

• Fought for women’s suffrage
  • Ethical implications: Most thought the male of the household could adequately make decisions for the entire family.  Mill argued that the female might have a different opinion.
  • Dynamic: Women were eventually given the right to vote, possibly thanks to some of the work of John Stuart Mill.

• Stood for Utilitarianism
  • New: Ethical theory developed by a close family friend and his father.  He carried the theory out further.  Opposite of deontology.
  • Explains difference between contentment and happiness
    • Happiness is better and is the key to being a successful person and society

• Believed in representative government
  • Wanted those that were educated to have more votes
  • Very controversial
  • New: Every male had an equal amount of votes, even the poor and educated.
  • Ethical Implications: Some did not think it was right to possibly give the poor (that were educated) more votes than the higher class that was not educated.  People also did not approve of the reason for this, to give the middle class more of a say.

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin- Andrew Phillips

Revolutionary because:

• Developed Communism in Russia
  • Lead the Bolshevik party to take control of Russia
  • Gave more power to the peasant class
  • Developed the idea of Marxism and created Leninism-Marxism

 

• Believed in the Power of Citizens
  • As a leader he wanted to empower the majority class
  • Opposed all forms of single controlling government

 

• Wanted the country to work for itself
  • Believed that each person should be working for the betterment of the country
  • Each person should go their fair share and the entire country will prosper

Jean-Jacques Rousseau-Emily Fuchs

Revolutionary because:

• Introduced a unique perspective on philosophy
  • Most philosophers asked, “what is the nature of man?”
  • He created ideas about the individual and society
  • Instead of man being naturally wicked, he believed that society corrupts the innocent man
  • General will always acts for the good of the entire society
  • These ideas were based off of his unique experiences and estrangement in Paris

 

• Related government to human nature
  • The governed people must agree on the form of government
  • Government should relate to the natural state of human beings

 

• Spread Enlightenment ideas
  • Human beings cannot own others
  • Discussed government, separation of powers, freedom, tolerance, and birth right
  • Helped the French people realize the monarchy was not fair, and his ideas were an influence in the French Revolution