Enlightenment  

Introduction

During the 18ht and the 19th centuries an intellectual and philosophical movement started in Europe which is known as The Age Of Enlightenment, or just Enlightenment. It is also called The Age of Reason. The Age of Enlightenment was influenced by philosophers who questioned the authority of monarchy and religious authorities. By the mid of the 18th century Paris, France became the center of challenging traditional doctrines. It also became the center of scientific and philosophical activities. Enlightenment philosophers opposed the exclusive rights of elite and laid a foundation for democratic societies. The motto of Enlightenment was well summoned by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant “Dare to know. Have courage to use your reason.” In this blog I will share with you how did The Age of Enlightenment contribute to The American revolution, The French revolution and ultimately shaped today's modern society. 

The American Revolution

The Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality and justice contributed to create conditions for the American revolution. The American Revolution was a civil war between the residents of the British 13 North American colonies' government and the colonial government which represented the British crown. The British empire had seven year's war with the French and the Indians for supremacy and land claims in United States. The war was expensive and the British government added new taxes to raise the government's revenue to support its military. The British enforced new taxes called, The Stamp Act, Townshend Act, and The Tea Act and as a result angry protests took place in the United States. 

The American Revolution started with opposing the British government's heavy taxation without the 13 colonies' representation. 'Taxation without representation' became a slogan during the American Revolution. France entered in the conflict and made the civil conflict an international conflict. The American Revolution ended with the treaty of Paris which made America an independent state. Influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers, the colonists of America questioned their beliefs about the society and their relationship with their mother country-England. They realized they didn't need their mother country to survive. The Enlightenment ideas that all citizens have the right to reason and they are all equal by nature contributed to America's Declaration of Independence.

The French Revolution

King Louis XIV, led France into heavy debt by getting involved in American revolution. Other factors such as Poor harvest, drought, cattle diseases, and the skyrocketing prices of bread resulted in poverty in France. King Louis XIV Imposed heavy taxes on French population which further added to the existing problems. French citizens were disgusted by the economic policies and absolute monarchy of King Louis XIV. They were also fed up with social injustice. The Enlightenment ideas, all men are equal, there should be no privileges for the rich, and the freedom of speech and religion all contributed to the French revolution. As a result of the French Revolution King Louis XIV was put on a trial and was executed. 

The French Revolution resulted chaos in France because after overthrowing the monarchy the newly built first French Republic was attacked by other powers to seize power in France which caused the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. But the French Revolution also laid a foundation for the modern French democratic society. The Enlightenment ideas of emphasizing the rights of the common people over the exclusive rights of the elite were prominent during the French Revolution. 

Enlightenment Ideas That Shaped Today's Modern Society 

Enlightenment reshaped the way people think and understand issues such as liberty, equality, and individual rights. The enlightenment philosophers influenced ideas such as rationalism and natural laws. As a result of Enlightenment the major changes in Europe were fall of monarchy, rise of the middle class, and separation of the church and the state. Furthermore, scientific revolution was proceeded by the Age of Enlightenment. 

By the end of the 18th century, influenced by Enlightenment, Romanticism took birth. Romanticism was artistic and intellectual movement in Europe. Romanticism which focuses on artist's emotions and senses and celebrates creativity, freedom and exploring the unknown has influenced today's society, literature, and art.