Question

What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he called Europe, "a smothered fire, which may shortly burst forth and produce a general conflagration," after the French Revolution?
Question 17 options:


The upheaval in France created so many European enemies, that war would soon breakout across the continent.


After seeing a monarchy overthrown in France, people across Europe would soon rise up and demand similar changes in government.


The kings and queens of Europe would likely choose to give up their power to the people to prevent similar revolutions.


Early 19th century weather patterns created such a drought that uncontrolled wildfires raged across Europe.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) After seeing a monarchy overthrown in France, people across Europe would soon rise up and demand similar changes in government.

What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he called Europe, "a smothered fire, which may shortly burst forth and produce a general conflagration," after the French Revolution was the following:  "After seeing a monarchy overthrown in France, people across Europe would soon rise up and demand similar changes in government."

Thomas Jefferson, a prominent founding father, and United States President, foresaw a situation in that after the French Revolution had triumphed, many European nations that lived under similar oppressed conditions would want the same principles of liberty, fraternity, and equity, that were the main "flags" during the revolution.

Let's have in mind that novel ideas about freedom, rights, and equity, were expressed by brilliant minds of the Enlightenment like Voltaire, Jean-Jaques Rosseau, Jhon Locke, and Baron of Montesquiou. These ideas influenced independent movements such as the Revolutionary War in America, the French Revolution, other revolutions in Europe and in the Americas, the Mexican Independence movement.