The Enlightenment (jan 1, 1685 – jan 1, 1815)

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The Enlightenment was a period of time where intellectual communities were concerned with enlightened thought--the idea of reason and natural rights. The main leaders of the Enlightenment were philosophes, who came from somewhat diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The Enlightenment grew through salon culture, where intellectuals would gather in the parlors of wealthy women and discuss their ideas.

Most philosophes were deists--they believed that God exists but does not interfere with the world.

Paris was considered the capital of the Enlightenment.

Some main markers of Enlightenment ideals were:
Religious tolerance
Natural rights
Equality before the law
General will

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