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Women's Rights During The Enlightenment

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The Enlightenment was a time during the 17th and 18th century in Europe when the ideas of philosophers about an ideal government and human nature in society were being developed. Although women did not have equal rights as men, women did have the power to influence ideas during the Enlightenment. This is because they took on several roles as leaders, where they had chances and opportunities to act as philosophers and share their new ideas on the society of France. In Salons, high class parties during the Enlightenment that was a place for nobles, and their intellectuals to share their opinions and have conversations with one another was where both men and women were invited to participate and exchange ideas. During the 17th century, the system …show more content…

Mary Wollstonecraft was an advocate for women's rights and a writer. She was also the founder of movements and the rights of women. Mary conveyed and spoke out in her published books about injustice and the right to be equal in economics, education, and politics. She like many others during the 17th century spoke up for a greater future in France. Similar to John Locke who was also a philosopher that wanted the idea of a government that protected a person's natural rights including life, liberty, and property. Mary could talk and express her ideas fully without being stopped or spoken over, because salons allowed for everyone to be respected as philosophers. The reason why many women participated and joined salons and other philosophers was because they could, and felt comfortable in the space they were in. In a salon, they knew they were being listened and could easily influence mae philosophers by expressing their groundbreaking ideas. In conclusion, although during the Enlightenment women could not publish and spread their own ideas and work, they still shared and created new ideas that influenced male philosophers to publish and recognize it. The importance during the Enlightenment was getting new ideas out in the world which both men and women fulfilled and brought out. Women were given opportunities as leaders that could partake in

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