Why did the 1700's become known as the "Age of Enlightenment"?
1 Answer
The 1700s became known as the "Age of Enlightenment" as Enlightenment ideals such as freedom and equality became prominent among lower class citizens, and there was an occurrence of several revolts and revolutionaries to bring about change in society.
Explanation:
The 1400s-1700s consisted of the discovery of the Americas, which was instigated by a new way of thinking among elite Europeans. People found purpose in human presence, which differed from medieval time periods. These beliefs strengthened as time went by, and by the time of the 1700's distinguished philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau began to spread key ideas revolving around religious and political freedom, as well as equality and human rights. These ideas spread like wild fire, and people in unequal societies such as France and Haiti began to start revolutions in order to gain equality and freedom. These revolutions instigated other smaller revolts revolving around enlightenment ideas, thus allowing the 1700s to be regarded as the "Age of Enlightenment".
