The Enlightenment

Definition

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought by promoting ideas about liberty, equality, and justice that would later influence revolutionary movements, particularly in America. Thinkers of the Enlightenment believed that through reason and scientific inquiry, humanity could improve society and govern itself more effectively.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Key Enlightenment figures like John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu challenged traditional political structures and advocated for government based on consent of the governed.
2. The Enlightenment introduced the idea that human beings are capable of self-governance and that governments should be accountable to the people.
3. Enlightenment ideals significantly influenced the Declaration of Independence, particularly the principles of individual rights and government by consent.
4. The movement encouraged the spread of ideas through salons and publications, allowing new thoughts on democracy, science, and education to flourish across Europe and the Americas.
5. The emphasis on reason during the Enlightenment led to critiques of monarchies and established churches, fostering an environment ripe for revolutionary thought.

Review Questions

• How did the Enlightenment influence American revolutionary thought?
  • The Enlightenment significantly shaped American revolutionary thought by introducing concepts like natural rights and government by consent. Thinkers like John Locke argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which directly inspired revolutionary leaders. These ideas were reflected in key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, where the notion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed was central to justifying independence from British rule.
• Evaluate the impact of Enlightenment philosophers on the development of democratic ideals in America.
  • Enlightenment philosophers had a profound impact on American democratic ideals by advocating for reasoned debate, individual rights, and the social contract. Their writings provided a framework for understanding government as a tool for protecting individual liberties rather than oppressing them. The checks and balances system in the U.S. Constitution is rooted in Montesquieu's ideas about separating powers, reflecting how Enlightenment thought was integrated into American governance.
• Synthesize how the principles of the Enlightenment contributed to both American independence and later global revolutions.
  • The principles of the Enlightenment not only fueled American independence but also laid the foundation for various global revolutions in the late 18th and 19th centuries. By emphasizing reason, equality, and individual rights, these ideas inspired movements across Europe and Latin America. The American Revolution served as a model for other nations seeking to overthrow tyrannies, demonstrating that collective action based on Enlightenment ideals could lead to significant societal change. As such, the legacy of the Enlightenment continues to resonate in modern democratic movements worldwide.

Related terms

Natural Rights:

Fundamental rights that every individual possesses simply by being human, which include life, liberty, and property, and which were emphasized by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke.

Social Contract:

A theoretical agreement in political philosophy where individuals consent to form a government to protect their rights and maintain order, discussed by philosophers like Rousseau and Hobbes.

Rationalism: A belief in reason as the primary source of knowledge and legitimacy, championed by Enlightenment philosophers who sought to challenge superstition and dogma.