The principle is represented by the paired ideas that the free flow or trade of ideas ensures that public discourse will allow the truth to emerge and that truth will emerge from this public discourse because people are inherently rational and good.

France played a key role in the american revolutionary war (american war of independence; 1775–1783). motivated by the ideals of the new nation which were inspired by the french enlightenment, as well as its long-term rivalry with britain and so as to avenge their territorial losses during the french and indian war, france secretly began sending supplies to the americans in 1775.