The teachings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau inspired the French Revolution. Rousseau was a prominent philosopher and political theorist during the 18th century Enlightenment period. His ideas about democracy, individual freedom, and the social contract had a significant influence on the French Revolution. Rousseau`s concept of the social contract proposed that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed, and that the purpose of government is to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals. These ideas resonated with the French revolutionaries, who sought to overthrow the monarchy and establish a more democratic society. While John Locke`s ideas on natural rights and limited government were influential in laying the groundwork for democracy, it was Rousseau`s teachings that had a direct impact on the French Revolution.