Florida Civics EOC Practice Test

The Enlightenment was a significant intellectual movement of the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines. Thinkers associated with the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, argued for the application of reason to all areas of life, including politics and governance. They promoted democratic ideals, including the notion that governments should be based on consent from the governed, the protection of individual rights, and the belief in equality. This movement laid the philosophical groundwork for modern democracies by advocating for the use of rational thought to challenge and improve societal norms and structures.

In contrast, while the Renaissance involved a revival of interest in the classical ideas of art and philosophy, and the Reformation focused on religious reform, neither was primarily centered around democratic principles. The Industrial Revolution, on the other hand, was more about technological and economic changes rather than advocating for democracy or reason. Therefore, the Enlightenment stands out as the movement that specifically championed democracy through reasoned thought.