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What impact did the Age of Enlightenment have on modern and contemporary history?

Bartholomew Kuschel

Well, well, well, my dear friend! The Age of Enlightenment was a period of time that definitely left its mark on modern and contemporary history. Let me start by saying that it was a time when people were like "hey, let's use our brains, shall we?" and so they did!

During the 18th century, thinkers in Europe began to apply reason and critical thinking to all aspects of life, from science and politics to religion and economics. They were like the OGs of critical thinking and skepticism. They challenged established beliefs and traditions and instead focused on logic and empirical evidence.

Now, you might be wondering, "What did that actually achieve?" Well, my dear friend, the impact of the Age of Enlightenment was massive. It led to the rise of modern science, the development of democratic values, the birth of secularism, and the understanding of fundamental human rights.

The Enlightenment also sparked a wave of revolutions, perhaps most notably the American Revolution and the French Revolution. It's like they said, "Hey, I'm not gonna let some king tell me what to do, I'm gonna fight for my own rights!"

Enlightenment thinkers also championed the idea of free speech and a free press, which are cornerstones of modern society. They believed that knowledge should be accessible to everyone, and that education was essential to creating a better society.

But wait, there's more! The Age of Enlightenment also had a major impact on the arts. It led to the rise of the Romantic movement, which valued emotion and individualism over reason and tradition. You know those sappy love poems you secretly read in your spare time? Yeah, you can thank the Enlightenment for that.

In conclusion, the Age of Enlightenment had a massive impact on modern and contemporary history. It led to scientific, political, and social revolutions, challenged established beliefs and traditions, and championed the importance of logic, reason, and education. So the next time you're feeling philosophical or just want to sound super smart, remember the Age of Enlightenment and all the awesome things that came out of it.