The Enlightenment (30 Jul 1600 Jahr – 20 Sept 1900 Jahr)

Beschreibung:

This was the application of natural laws to constitute human reasoning. It was extremely prevalent in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries and thinkers like Johne Locke, Baron de Montesquieu and Voltaire were extremely influential especially in the questioning of authority, especially absolutism, leading to many rebellions in different areas of the world such as the US, France and in Latin America (and the US' Declaration of Independence). John Locke believed that there were natural rights to be possessed by all human beings, and if people didn't have the right to life, liberty, and property, then the people had the reason to revolt. Baron de Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers and said that there should be three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) in order to create a checks and balances system. Voltaire believed in free speech and religious tolerance. Churches and governments did not like the spread of these ideas. Some rulers made non-political changes though, (Catherine the Great). These ideas also allowed requests for the abolition of slavery.