Characteristics Of The Enlightenment Period

Voltaire believed in freedom of religion because if a society only has a couple religions, then everyone would turn against each other. During the Enlightenment period, if the people were

Toward the beginning of the 18th century, a new ideology began to take hold of Europe. It was during this time that a radical and critical revolution took place to bring about the use of rational thought and enlighten the people about their own beliefs and values; thus igniting the period of Enlightenment. In this period many people followed the teachings of their forefathers, such as Socrates, who was considered a figure of skepticism and rational thought. Challenging all views and theorems was the main point of this new ideology. Voltaire, a very powerful and influential figure among the writers of the 18th century, was known for his rejection of religion and a devout deist. In one of his most famous works, Candide, he

The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this “awakening” time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparison to what they believed which was a belief of strong rational religion and morality. Enlightened society believed that the use of reason would be a catalyst of social change and had a demand of political representation thus resulting in a

Voltaire believed in religion and that everyone had the right to pick their own religion

The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this “awakening” time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparison to what they believed which was a belief of strong rational religion and morality. Enlightened society believed that the use of reason would be a catalyst of social change and had a demand of political representation thus resulting in a time

Voltaire discusses the importance of individual freedom in religion when he writes because he addresses the Royal Exchange in London where different nations come together. Moreover, Voltaire also addresses the fact that more than 3 religions bring peace and harmony. It can be argued that individual freedom was the main idea in Voltaire’s discussion of religion because he addresses the fact that nations of different religions and races can come together and trade and be in peace with each other. Women's rights was also an important part of Mary Wolstonecraft's ideas on the Enlightenment. Wolstonecraft discusses the importance of individual freedom as it regards women having the same rights as men and being treated equally when she writes. It can be argued that individual freedom was the main idea in Wolstonecraft's discussion of women because women should be treated as equally as men are and should be given the same resources. Although the philosophes of the 18th century had other important ideas like government, religion, and women's writes, there was one main idea that stood out. That was individual

Voltaire lived during the Royal Exchange. In London the representatives of all nations met for the benefit of mankind and discussed dior issues. In England they allowed a multitude of religions and this allowed them to all live peacefully and happily (Document B). The many religions helped because is there was one it would be unrestrained, if there was two kinds they would be at one another's throats and would always be fighting, but since there is a handful of them they all live peacefully. Voltaire had the ideas that everybody has rights and choices on accepting religion and government or refusing to accept it.

The purpose of all great thinkers is to push the boundaries of the past’s beliefs and encourage a new generation to be receptive to the anticipated ways of the future. The Philosophes were a group of great thinkers during the Enlightenment period. Their ideas permeated society in a way that was revolutionary; they created a reaction and transformed the world, in the best way possible. The term ‘philosophe’ comes from the French word for philosopher. Though, ascribing this sole vocation to The Philosophes deeply undermines their work and communal impact. These intellectuals inspired an era of progression in all aspects of society. Coming down from the height of The Scientific Revolution, The Enlightenment Thinkers advocated rational thought

The shadowed subject called the Age of Enlightenment has been brought up on many occasions about how it impacted ideas in the Declaration of Independance. The Age of Enlightenment was a historical era in which ideas came from four different philosophers during that time. The four philosophers strongly impacted the ideas put into the Declaration of Independance. Although the Age of Enlightenment begun in the 1600’s, and the Declaration of Independance in the 1700’s, they are both strongly alike in forms of citizens rights. There is many similarities that the philosophers portrayed between the Age of Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independance.

Voltaire was a very strong believer in religious freedom, and thought it was a very important factor to maintain peace in government and society. “But as there are such a multitude [of religions], they all live happy and in peace” (Doc B). If religion were influenced by society the religions would be limited and war could uprise. When all religions are acceptable there is all around peace because there are not limitations and the government can't control any religious group. Over all individual freedom is the dominant topic, it is needed in religious terms to carry out an efficient nation.

The Scientific revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries changed the way that people views the world. Scientific philosophers such as Galileo and Descartes threw out the old teachings of the church and challenged them with new ways of thinking. These men sought to prove that rational thought could prove the existence of God. They also challenged that it was an understanding of a series of rational thoughts, not faith, would bring understanding of how the world worked. Traditional ways of thinking were ultimately challenged by logical and sensible rationale.

Voltaire was also a philosopher who also had Enlightenment Idea’s, who believed in civil rights, freedom of speech, and religion. Voltaire’s goal was to introduce philosophers idea’s, such as Locke, to France, and other countries. He found a way to make ideas who have been kept in the dark popular and widespread. Voltaire viewed god as someone who “created the universe and started the mechanisms within it before allowing it to run on its own. Never interfering” (Pike). He followed a belief called deism, and his beliefs convinced the founding fathers to view god as a reasonable being who would “support them in their fight for independence.” (Pike). Because he partially introduced deism to them, they found the courage to strive for independence. Although many of his written works and books were burned or banned, he still believed and defended the concept of freedom of religion and speech,and was against inequality and slave trade. He wrote a lot about freedom of religion, and people liked his ideas of being able to believe in what you wish to believe.

In the 1700s, religion in France was a very rigid and restricted topic. Either you were Catholic like everyone else or you were atheist and sort of cast off in society. Voltaire was more agnostic than anything else but still thought people should have the freedom to believe whatever they wanted to believe. Especially without the government dictating what they should believe. Although Voltaire was considered a free-thinking philosopher, he really just emphasized on other

Americans in the Enlightenment period strongly connected themselves with the classical age in terms of how they approached their art. The Enlightenment period lasted for about 150 years, from approximately 1700 -1850. Throughout this time period many artists took inspiration from the classical age which occurred in ancient Greece and Rome hundreds of years before. We can see examples of this in buildings like The White house and Monticello in America, and Kedleston Hall in England. These three buildings, though located in very different parts of the world, all have a number of aestheticly similar attributes.

The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and scientific movement which is characterized by its rational and scientific approach to religious, social, political, and economic issues. Enlightenment ideals challenged the way people were taught to think and let them express their criticism of the church, the monarchy or whatever system they saw as unjust. The impact of the enlightenment movement was first seen in 18th century Europe and soon spread to different parts of the world. People who believed in these ideals were called enlightenment thinkers. Enlightenment thinkers were a voice for the masses who felt they were being manipulated by people holding all the power. It also helped the masses realize that they did not need the church or monarchy, and enlightenment thinkers were able to assemble a following to stop people of power taking advantage of those who were not quite as powerful. Enlightenment thinkers gave an outlet to the common citizen who were seeing injustices in their government system.