Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, can be defined as an absolute monarchy where the monarchs enforce their own authority. In this age the intellectuals observed the ruling powers, which led the individuals to fight for their own rights. The Age of Enlightenment focuses on cultural life where the human beings progress towards the development by being enlightened.
The main idea of enlightenment was that it spread knowledge, reason and science which helped to improve the society. These ideas emerged after long dark ages where the French Church and government believed that God wanted no change in the world so they reacted by burning books and imprisoning the writers. The thought of having well-versed citizens, empowered in the general interest and protection of the country, was accomplished at some stage in the Enlightenment. Hence, as a result, Enlightenment era emerged as a way out into scientific and intellectual reasoning, where, the rights of the citizens were safeguarded through the introduction of democracy. The philosophy of overprotective uniqueness improved the thinking of democracy and the people started to decide for themselves instead of following the leaders or the church during that time period.
Slavery was legalized in the colonies but in the early eighteenth century the idea that was promoted was equality and all citizens were given certain rights which were protected by the government. The people were allowed to comment on the government. This can be seen in this present world especially in the news channels that are allowed to criticize and argue with the politicians in order to create awareness among the people.
In 1789 the French Revolution put an end to monarchy and aristocracy. The new government formed was based on the rights of citizens and citizenship. In this period a constitution was approved and a court system was established, elections were organized and the government was formed by the consent of the public. This is similar to the present era where elections take place and the citizens of a country decide and vote for electing an appropriate leader for their country.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) worked during the Enlightenment to bring forth the rights of women. She proposed towards educating women and allowing them to choose professions for themselves and hence become part of the society. Nowadays women work side by side with men and hence play an important role in the development of the country. They have an image in the society and can be seen as leaders all over the world and are given respect.
The enlightenment ideas influenced many countries, for instance, in France it became associated with anti-government and anti-church intolerance. The government was unsympathetic whereas the philosophers were against it. In Germany it was deeply rooted into the middle classes and there was no threat to establish churches. Enlightenment was ignored by British government and Scotland was given knighthood and a very rewarding management agency was established. Many countries like Russia, Prussia and Austria welcomed the Enlightenment ideas and promoted rights of citizens at court and laws and programs were set to build stronger national states. In America liberty, democracy, republicanism and religious rights had become the base of the United States declaration of independence.
Work Cited
Goebel, Judith. “The Enlightenment/ The Age of reason”. Web. 31st October 2012. http://esl.fis.edu/learners/support/hum/text/wh542.htm
Rahn, Josh. “The Enlightenment”. The Literature Network. Web. 31st October 2012. http://www.online-literature.com/periods/enlightenment.php
