World Civilizations S…
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Question: What ONE idea that came a grade
out of the Enlightenment period had
a major impact on the politics and
nations of the modern world?

One transformative idea from the Enlightenment period is the concept of natural rights, primarily articulated by philosophers like John Locke. This idea posited that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which governments must respect and protect. It laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and significantly influenced the drafting of pivotal documents such as the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Another major influence from the Enlightenment is the advocacy for reason and scientific inquiry as the primary sources of knowledge, which spurred the development of modern political thought. Using rational debate and evidence-based conclusions, thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau challenged traditional authority and social norms. This shift encouraged political movements advocating for freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and a reexamination of governance, resonating through revolutions and democratic reforms worldwide.