. The ideas of enlightenment thinkers: Collectively, their writings provided a critical commentary on tradition, superstition and despotism. People argued for the rale of reason rather than custom and demanded that everything be judged through the application of reason and rationality. The writings of Voltaire and Rousseau were read widely and those who read these books saw the world through new eyes. . Print created a new culture of dialogue and debate: People had become aware of the power of reason and recognised the need to question existing ideas and beliefs. So new ideas of social revolution came into being. . There was an outpouring of literature that mocked the royalty and criticised their morality: Many cartoons and caricatures suggested that monarchy enjoys its own comforts, while common people suffered. The literature was circulated underground and led to the growth of hostile sentiments against the monarchy.