How did the enlightenment cause the french revolution? how closely did the revolutionaries and napoleon follow enlightenment beliefs?

The main way in which the Enlightenment helped cause the French Revolution is that it inspired people to break free from the bonds of monarchy and to instead think freely for themselves, and develop systems of government that represented their interests, not just those of the state. The French Revolution quickly deviated from this purpose, however, since there was mass violence and the rise of another despot.