Enlightenment History

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the late 17th to 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority. Influential thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau challenged traditional beliefs about government, religion, and society. They advocated for personal freedoms, democratic ideals, and scientific inquiry, laying the groundwork for modern democracy and human rights. The movement significantly impacted the American and French Revolutions, inspiring a shift from monarchies to more democratic forms of governance and promoting the value of knowledge and education in shaping society. The Enlightenment shaped much of the modern world we know today.