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. It fostered ideas about liberty, democracy, and human rights that significantly influenced various revolutions and political systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire promoted ideas about individual rights and the importance of government by consent.
2. Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, arguing for independence from British rule based on rational thought and the rights of individuals.
3. The Enlightenment inspired revolutionary movements across the globe, notably impacting both the American Revolution and later the French Revolution.
4. Enlightenment principles contributed to the formation of modern democracies, emphasizing equality before the law and the protection of individual liberties.
5. Many of the Founding Fathers incorporated Enlightenment ideals into the U.S. Constitution, reflecting a commitment to rational governance and the safeguarding of personal freedoms.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment ideas influence Thomas Paine's arguments in 'Common Sense'?
  • Enlightenment ideas profoundly shaped Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense,' as he utilized concepts like natural rights and social contract theory to argue for American independence. Paine emphasized that government should be based on the consent of the governed and that individuals possess inherent rights that must be protected. By appealing to reason and logic, he aimed to convince readers that it was not only rational but also necessary to break away from British rule.
• In what ways did the Enlightenment impact the events of the French Revolution?
  • The Enlightenment significantly impacted the French Revolution by providing intellectual foundations for the revolutionaries' demands for liberty, equality, and fraternity. Thinkers such as Rousseau and Montesquieu influenced revolutionary leaders by promoting ideals about democratic governance and civil rights. The principles of popular sovereignty and resistance to tyranny motivated citizens to challenge the monarchy and seek a government based on Enlightenment values.
• Evaluate how Enlightenment principles shaped the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and its implications for modern democracy.
  • Enlightenment principles played a crucial role in shaping the U.S. Constitution by embedding ideas of individual rights, checks and balances, and separation of powers into its framework. The Founding Fathers drew upon Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Montesquieu to ensure that government would be accountable to its citizens while protecting their natural rights. This incorporation of rational governance has had lasting implications for modern democracy, promoting an enduring framework for protecting civil liberties and promoting representative government worldwide.

Related terms

Rationalism: A philosophical belief that reason is the primary source of knowledge and that reality can be understood through logical reasoning rather than sensory experience.

Social Contract: A theory in political philosophy that posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a government that protects their rights in exchange for some of their freedoms.

Natural Rights: The concept that all individuals are entitled to certain fundamental rights by virtue of being human, often associated with life, liberty, and property.