History
What is The Enlightenment?
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in 17th–18th century Europe that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and authority. Its ideas shaped modern democracy, human rights, and the scientific worldview.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the enlightenment.
Key things to understand
- 1It flourished in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s.
- 2It championed reason, science, and evidence.
- 3It promoted individual rights and questioned authority.
- 4It inspired revolutions and modern democracy.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the Enlightenment?
- An 17th–18th century movement that prized reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and authority.
- Why was the Enlightenment important?
- It shaped modern democracy, human rights, and the scientific approach to understanding the world.
- Who were key Enlightenment thinkers?
- Figures like Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant, among many others.