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The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European and American thought that emphasized the power of reason and science, rather than traditional doctrine, to understand and reform the world. Some historians also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]].  

The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European and American thought that emphasized the power of [[reason]] and [[science]], rather than traditional [[doctrine]], to understand and reform the world. Some historians also include 17th-century [[philosophy]], usually called the [[Age of Reason]].  

The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity.

The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially [[physics]], [[chemistry]] and [[mathematics]]), [[economics]], political theory, [[geography]] (especially exploration), and [[technology]] (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by [[Christianity]].

Out of the Enlightenment emerged the new philosophy of liberalism. Thinkers like [[Adam Smith]] had a major impact on creating [[classical liberalism]] and the ideals of the free market. [[John Locke]] is often considered the father of the Enlightenment and wrote several works on social contract theory and religious toleration. Several of America's Founding Fathers were actively engaged in the Enlightenment, including [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], and their political thinking influenced American political ideas of [[republicanism]].

Out of the Enlightenment emerged the new philosophy of [[liberalism]]. Thinkers like [[Adam Smith]] had a major impact on creating [[classical liberalism]] and the ideals of the [[free market]]. [[John Locke]] is often considered the father of the Enlightenment and wrote several works on social contract theory and religious toleration. Several of America's [[Founding Fathers]] were actively engaged in the Enlightenment, including [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[James Madison]], and their political thinking influenced American political ideas of [[republicanism]].

Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], England, Scotland, and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].

Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], [[England]], [[Scotland]], and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and [[Scandinavia]], as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].

==Political impact==

==Political impact==

Liberalism ([[Classical liberalism]]) was one the dominant political thoughts to emerge from the European Enlightenment. Writers like John Locke imagined the foundations of classical liberal thought in government and society. In his ''Second Treatise of Civil Government'', Locke expounds on the basic tenets of liberalism such as individual freedom<ref>Locke, John. ''A Second Treaties of Civil Government'', Chapter VII, Sec. 87</ref>, legal equality under the law, and private property<ref>Ibid., Chapter V</ref>. His concept of civil society was one of a contractual agreement between the citizens and a government formed to protect the fundamental rights of all persons<ref>Ibid., Chapter II, Sec. 13</ref>.

Liberalism ([[Classical liberalism]]) was one the dominant political thoughts to emerge from the European Enlightenment. Writers like John Locke imagined the foundations of classical liberal thought in government and society. In his ''Second Treatise of Civil Government'', Locke expounds on the basic tenets of liberalism such as individual freedom<ref>Locke, John. ''A Second Treaties of Civil Government'', Chapter VII, Sec. 87</ref>, legal equality under the law, and private property<ref>Ibid., Chapter V</ref>. His concept of civil society was one of a contractual agreement between the citizens and a government formed to protect the fundamental rights of all persons<ref>Ibid., Chapter II, Sec. 13</ref>.