The enlightenment was an intellectual movement which dominated the world of ideas in Europe in the eighteenth century.
It's Watermark still lingers on many of the world's most important documents. In fact, without it, the United States as we know it would most likely not exist today. Well visiting Europe many of the nation's founding fathers rubbed elbows with great Enlightenment thinkers, bringing their ideas and values back across the Atlantic.
Enlightened ideas of Liberty and progress had a chance to force without the shackles of Old Europe. Legislators begin to change their old dogmatic positions. They begin to emphasize the similarities between the Anglican church and the Puritan congregationalist rather than the difference is. Even Cotton Mather, the Massachusetts Minister who wrote and spoke so convincingly about the existence of witches, advocated science to immunize citizens against smallpox.
The Constitutions of our first dates in the United States Constitution reflect Enlightenment principles. The writings of Benjamin Franklin made many Enlightenment ideas accessible to the General Public.
The old way of life is represented by Superstition, an Angry God, and absolute submission to Authority. The thinker's of Age of Reason ushered in a new way of thinking. This new way Champion the accomplishments of humankind. Individuals and not have to accept their despair. Science and reason could bring happiness and progress. Kings did not rule by divine right. They have an obligation to their subjects. Europeans pondered the implications for nearly a century. Americans put them into practice first.
