the enlightenment (U5)

The Enlightenment, spanning 1750 to 1900, was an intellectual movement that set the ideological foundation for various revolutions worldwide. It emphasized rationalism and empiricism, focusing on knowledge derived from reason and sensory experience rather than external authorities like religion.

• Key figures included philosophers such as John Locke, who advocated for the idea of natural rights, and Montesquieu, who introduced the concept of separation of powers in government.

• The movement also promoted ideas of individual liberty and the social contract theory, influencing the American and French Revolutions.

• The Enlightenment was marked by a flourishing of literature and science, with advancements in political philosophy, ethics, and scientific methods, greatly impacting modern Western thought and institutions.

• The challenge against traditional authority led to the questioning of monarchies and the church, paving the way for democracy and secular governance.