key term - Enlightenment Movement

Definition

The Enlightenment Movement was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in Europe during the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It fostered ideas about democracy, human rights, and scientific reasoning, leading to significant cultural and political changes throughout Europe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment challenged traditional institutions, especially the monarchy and the church, advocating for the separation of powers and individual liberties.
2. Key figures of the Enlightenment include philosophers like John Locke, who promoted ideas about natural rights, and Voltaire, who emphasized freedom of speech and religion.
3. Literature during the Enlightenment often critiqued social norms and injustices, contributing to greater public awareness and engagement with political issues.
4. The scientific advancements during this period led to a growing faith in human reason and empirical evidence, paving the way for modern science.
5. The ideas of the Enlightenment significantly influenced revolutionary movements, such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution, highlighting the demand for equality and democratic governance.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment thinkers challenge existing political structures, and what impact did this have on governance?
  • Enlightenment thinkers challenged existing political structures by advocating for reason over tradition and promoting ideas like popular sovereignty and individual rights. They critiqued absolute monarchy and supported concepts like democracy and republicanism. This intellectual movement laid the groundwork for modern democratic governance by inspiring revolutions that sought to establish governments based on the consent of the governed.
• In what ways did the Enlightenment influence 18th-century culture and arts across Europe?
  • The Enlightenment had a profound influence on 18th-century culture and arts by promoting ideals such as rationality, individual expression, and social critique. Literature flourished with satirical works that questioned societal norms and injustices. Artistic movements began to reflect Enlightenment values through themes of realism and human experience, moving away from religious dogma towards a celebration of human achievement.
• Evaluate how the Enlightenment Movement contributed to broader societal changes in Europe and its long-term effects on modern democratic thought.
  • The Enlightenment Movement contributed to broader societal changes by fostering critical thinking and encouraging people to question established authorities. This period marked a shift towards valuing individual rights and freedoms, influencing political ideologies that persist today. Long-term effects include the rise of democratic principles, human rights discussions, and ongoing debates about the role of government versus individual liberty in shaping societies around the world.

Related terms

Rationalism:

A philosophical belief that reason is the chief source of knowledge and the primary means of understanding the world.

Social Contract:

A theory in political philosophy that suggests individuals consent to form a government in order to escape the chaos of the state of nature, allowing for organized society.

Salons:

Social gatherings held in the homes of wealthy individuals where intellectuals, artists, and thinkers would come together to discuss ideas and promote Enlightenment values.