The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a time of major social, political, and intellectual change, characterized by a focus on reason, science, and individual rights. This period saw the rise of influential thinkers who challenged traditional beliefs and advocated for progress and freedom.

One of the key events that paved the way for the Enlightenment was the Scientific Revolution, which brought about significant advancements in scientific knowledge and challenged long-held religious beliefs. Figures like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton contributed to the understanding of natural laws and the universe, paving the way for a more rational and evidence-based approach to knowledge.

The Enlightenment period was also marked by the publication of influential works such as John Locke's 'Second Treatise of Government' and Montesquieu's 'The Spirit of the Laws.' These thinkers advocated for the idea of natural rights, which are inherent to all individuals, and the concept of a social contract, where governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.