American Enlightenment

The American Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights. It encouraged questioning traditional authority, such as monarchies and churches, advocating for democracy, educational progress, and freedom. Thinkers like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson promoted ideas about liberty, equality, and rational inquiry that shaped the founding principles of the United States. This movement helped inspire the American Revolution and the development of a society based on scientific reasoning and respect for human rights.