The Enlightenment sparked profound societal changes during the 17th and 18th centuries by promoting reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire championed ideas of liberty, equality, and human rights, challenging existing structures of monarchy and religious dogma. These philosophies inspired democratic revolutions, such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution, facilitating the emergence of modern political ideologies including liberalism and secularism. Education and scientific inquiry also flourished, leading to a shift from faith-based understanding of the world to rational thought, ultimately reshaping government, society, and culture in Europe and beyond.