How Important Was the Role of Ideas in the Outbreak of the French and Russian Revolutions?

Both the French and Russian Revolutions were influenced by new waves of philosophical thinking, however, in neither case can it be seen as being the major cause. The French Revolution of 1789 which lead to the sacking of King Louis XVI occurred mainly due to the war-torn state of the country and the long-term abuse of lower classes. While the Enlightenment was a major 'event' of the time, none of the philosophes, the European group of educated idealists, said a revolution was the way. It has been said,
"The prophets of revolution, like Marx, were made by the French Revolution. …