The 18th century is a period in history where people believed they were in a new age; enlightened by reason, science, and respect for humanity. Prior centuries were considered ignorant and dark, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries to express the power of human reasoning. Yet the transition to an enlightened age caused conflict in several facets of society. Different perspective varied in accordance to the way it affected them. For example, the issue of slavery caused much debate amongst French intellectuals. The French Revolution motivated the National Assembly to implement the Declaration of the Rights of Man, beginning with the statement: "All men are born and remain free and equal in rights." The ambiguity rested on whether or not slavery abided to the concept of equal rights. The apparent contradiction for equal citizenship aroused desire for political representation. However, the French economy was greatly reliant on colonial conquests, depending on slaves for labor. …
