The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century. It was characterized by a belief in the power of human reason and the importance of scientific knowledge. The Enlightenment had a profound impact on the development of political thought, and its ideas influenced the development of political revolutions in both Western Europe and North America.
In Western Europe, the Enlightenment inspired the French Revolution, which began in 1789 and led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. The Enlightenment also influenced the American Revolution, which began in 1775 and led to the independence of the United States from Great Britain.
The Enlightenment ideas of individual liberty, equality, and democracy were central to both the French and American Revolutions. These ideas were expressed in the influential works of philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Paine. Their ideas inspired people to fight for their rights and to demand a more just and democratic society.