How did Jean-Jacques Rousseau's writings influence the French Revolution?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a pivotal figure whose writings profoundly influenced the leaders of the French Revolution. His work challenged the traditional social hierarchy and the divine right of kings, providing a philosophical foundation for revolutionary change.123

Key aspects of his influence include:

• The General Will: In The Social Contract, Rousseau argued that legitimate sovereignty resides in the general will of the people rather than in a monarch. This concept became a cornerstone of modern republican thought and was explicitly incorporated into the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789.43
• Secular Egalitarianism: Rousseau championed the "common man" and declared that all people are born free, famously stating, "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains". His promotion of equality and his critique of property-based inequality resonated deeply with those seeking to dismantle the existing social order.523
• Revolutionary Icon: From 1789 onward, revolutionaries viewed Rousseau as an icon of liberty. His emphasis on sincerity, emotion, and the rejection of corrupting societal influences helped foster a revolutionary political consciousness.32