The era of the Enlightenment produced modern philosophical, religious, and political thought. Secularism, individualism, democracy, rationalism, and separation of church and state can all be directly attributed to this age of reason resulting in the most important evolution of thought in humanity's history. Philosophers and religious figures formed ideas and theories used globally today; the bases for the American Revolution and the French Revolution were drawn directly from the Enlightenment ("The Impact"). Be it Voltaire's arguments for tolerance of all religion or Rousseau's "Civil Religion", almost every aspect of modern ideologies in the sense of religion, philosophy, and government came directly from this period (Voltaire) (Rousseau). The Enlightenment is the most important evolution of thought in history because of the application of ideas considered radical at the time lead to the creation of the basis of modern theories in all aspects of life; it even gave way to the United States of America ("The Impact"). This era gave us a drastic change in the way humans think; radical ideas gave way to the creation of many great nations and provided freedom of thought that paved the way for great minds of modern times. Widespread use of these ideas gave us revolutions resulting in war, political revolution, and emphasis on the individual that launched us into exponential growth as far as humanity is concerned. 

Before the Enlightenment, it was considered radical to claim tolerance of all religions. Countless wars had been fought in the name of religion; massacres of individuals because of differences between Protestantism and Catholicism were common throughout Europe. Catholics fought Muslims during The Crusades; the Pope excommunicated Martin Luther due to differences in interpretation; the Turks had launched dead bodies into Europe carrying the bubonic plague due to belief in racial and religious inferiority. Humanity has seemingly taken baby steps throughout the centuries, giant steps in the past 50 or so years, in reaching the conclusion of acceptance of every individual. It started with this early acceptance of religious differences by philosophers of the time and the change seen within faiths themselves ("The Impact"). Voltaire said, "Why, you say, is the Turk, the Chinese, or the Jew my brother? Assuredly; are we not all children of the same father, creatures of the same God?" (Voltaire). It is this very thought train that has lead us into the age of racial, gender, sexuality, and religious equality. American, European, and Western tolerance has been greatly influenced by the thinkers of this era, and many modern principles of equality are directly derived from these revolutionaries. The basis of our society is further influenced in numerous ways.

This age of reason was a perfect storm for the revolution of colonial America. Mostly all of the influence of the time period can be attributed to various European sources, however, America was the perfect opportunity to enact these radical ideas. "In America, intellectuals were reading these ideas as well. On their side of the Atlantic, enlightened ideas of liberty and progress had a change to flourish without the shackles of Old Europe." ("The Impact"). Although change occurred in Europe, the best example being the bloody French Revolution, America had less people, more flexible culture, and a common cause shared by all citizens. It can be directly compared to the rise of power of any dictator, be it the rise of communism in China and the USSR or Hitler's rise to power in Nazi Germany. A group of people grows restless and dissatisfied with the status quo; they want radical overthrow and a change in direction. Some individual or a group of people come in with fresh ideas, and people cling to this new thought. America was given almost every new aspect of government from this era ("The Impact"). Baron de Montesquieu gave us the separation of government powers: "In every government there are three sorts of power: the legislative; the executive in respect to things dependent on the law of nations; and the executive in regard to matters that depend on the civil law." (Montesquieu). This is where America put together the ideas of the separate judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government ("The Impact"). Influence can be continually seen throughout modern governments including the United States and almost every modern European nation.

Not only can Enlightenment influence be seen by Voltaire's toleration and Montesquieu's separation of powers, but "the entire opening of the Declaration of Independence is Thomas Jefferson's application of John Locke's ideas. The constitutions of our first states and the United States Constitution reflect Enlightenment principles. The writings of Benjamin Franklin made many Enlightenment ideas accessible to the general public." ("The Impact"). This evolution in Europe lead to the revolution in America. Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that society should be ruled by "general will" instead of the selective interests by a single monarch ("The Impact"). Those ideas pave the way for democracy in general. Such radical change from suppression of Monarchy to the freedom of individualism and social contracts not only brought about political and governmental change, but it also helped promote new values and ideologies within the public. This is where modern philosophy truly started.

Out with the old, in with the new. Literally speaking, this could be a motto of this era. The old way of thought was completely pushed out resulting in powerless popes, intelligent faith, and common good. The old way people lived was clouded with submissive attitude to authority leading to blind faith ("The Impact"). Their God was always angry; people were never good enough and followed outrageous superstitions such as the practice of indulgences ("The Impact"). Then came the Enlightenment philosophers. They brought with them attractive ideas that celebrated humanity and its greatness. Individuals could put focus on themselves instead of attempts of pleasing the unpleasable ("The Impact"). Criticism of the church was finally heard by a receptive public: "Christianity preaches only servitude and dependence . . . Christians are made to be slaves: they know it and do not care . . ." (Rousseau). This transcendental approach revolutionized followers of blind faith, and ultimately, it started the dwindling power of religious figureheads over the common public. Authority now had to answers questions as to why they had authority: divine right was no longer applicable to a secularist thought revolution ("The Impact"). Those who considered themselves belonging to the Church still viewed the church differently. Blaise Pascal advocated a different way of looking at religion that many individuals fall in line with today: Even if there is no God, it is better to be safe than sorry because we can never know (Pascal). Pascal's wager makes sense to the public, and it seems to be the basis of a great deal of religious people. These examples demonstrate the very reason the Enlightenment was so great. Europe's current system was clearly not working. It lead to corruption within the Church and government, suppression of individuals, and conflict between faiths. A complete revolution of thought took place, and it launched humanity into the modern times in almost every main aspect of everyday life like government, religion, and secular ideology.

The Enlightenment is undoubtedly one of the most important eras of humankind. Humanity can directly attribute modern democracies, separation of church and state, and individualism to this time period. The United States alone has a great deal of Enlightenment principles within each of the major documents that make up the modern government ("The Impact"). Religion finally stepped out of the way of progressive, forward thinking at the time. Corruption was overthrown, and representation resulted. Many aspects of everyday life are directly affected. It is the reason humans can now regard themselves as equals; it is the main proponent of progress within a society. The Enlightenment brought a new, brighter era for humanity and left behind the dark ways of the past. 

