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The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European (and American) [[philosophy]] and intellectual life generally, that emphasized the power or reason and science to understand and reform the world. Some classifications also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]]. The style it favored is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier Baroque and the later Romantic styles). The Enlightenment saw major 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]].

The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European (and American) [[philosophy]] and intellectual life generally, that emphasized the power or reason and science to understand and reform the world. Some classifications also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]]. The style it favored is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier Baroque and the later Romantic styles). The Enlightenment saw major 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]].

The Enlightenment advocated reason as the primary basis of authority, downplaying emotion and ecclesiastical authority. As presented by [[Voltaire]], [[Isaac Newton]] was the great hero for his demonstration that rational thought could explain the heavens. Developed in [[France, history|France]], England, [[Scotland, history|Scotland]], and the German states, it influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia, history|Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].

The Enlightenment advocated reason as the primary basis of authority, downplaying emotion and ecclesiastical authority. As presented by [[Voltaire]], [[Isaac Newton]] was the great hero for his demonstration that rational thought could explain the heavens. Developed in [[France]], England, [[Scotland]], and the German states, it influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].

Politically the Enlightenment was marked by governmental consolidation, nation creation, greater rights for the common people, and a diminution of the influence of authoritarian institutions such as the nobility and the Church. The ideology of [[Republicanism]] led to the [[American Revolution]] and the [[French Revolution]]. By 1800 or so the Enlightenment was replaced by the [[Romantic Era]], with special impact on the arts.

Politically the Enlightenment was marked by governmental consolidation, nation creation, greater rights for the common people, and a diminution of the influence of authoritarian institutions such as the nobility and the Church. The ideology of [[Republicanism]] led to the [[American Revolution]] and the [[French Revolution]]. By 1800 or so the Enlightenment was replaced by the [[Romantic Era]], with special impact on the arts.