Karim Benchekoune

Enlightenment Impact on Societies

The Enlightenment or the Age of Enlightenment is an era that lasted for about a century
or more. During this period, there were many thinkers, philosophers, and scientists who wanted
to spread their word and what they believe in to the world. This caused many problems because
during this Age of Enlightenment, the church was very powerful and rich. What these thinks and
philosophers were saying proved the church wrong. During this time, it was risky to challenge
the church and the church could not accept the fact that it was wrong and there was proof about
it. After this period was over, there were many societies that were affected by the Enlightenment
and they changed their life, laws, and way of thinking because of the Enlightenment.
The first Society or Country that was influenced by the Enlightment was America. There
were ideas that had a tremendous impact on America such as the idea of a person could reason
for himself instead of asking other people. Almost all the Americans believed in this idea and
started to use this idea for success. This idea is still used today by many people apart from the
Americans. The second idea that brought a great influence to America was said by John Locke
which is political authority stems for the people. By this, John Locke means that every man or
woman should have his or her rights and they should have the freedom to speak and political
authority. (www.suite.io\view.asp) Other concepts such as a man and womans rights, freedom of
speech and oppression, and the way of governing, were all ideas or concepts that were said out
during the Enlightenment period and are still used today by the American colonies and other
countries around the world.
There was another concept that came from the Enlightenment period that America uses
which says that the governments main job was to protect peoples rights and to make sure they
have equal rights and no one is violating their rights. Today, in America, you have the freedom of

Karim Benchekoune

speech and a poor person has the same right as a rich person. This idea was a very old concept
that influenced America Big time and is still carried on today.
The two most famous Enlightenment thinkers of America were Thomas Jefferson and
Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson helped the American Institutions with what he believed in
the Enlightment period. Benjamin Franklin tried his best to connect America and its government
with Enlightenment because he knew that America could benefit and succeed if it followed what
the Enlightenment thinkers believed.
These concepts influenced America a lot and it helped succeed and helped reach to what
they are today. Without the Enlightenment, America would not succeed or maybe would not even
exist because the Enlightenment was the start of many colonies mostly America.
(history.howstuffworks.com) The Enlightenment ideas also helped the people support America
which made America powerful. Without the Support of the people, a country could not exist
because it would not be successful. Thanks to the Enlightenment, America is now very powerful
and supported by many people.
Another Society that was influenced by the Enlightenment was France. There were many
Enlightenment thinkers or philosophers that brought change to France way of governing and
laws. Enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Beccaria, and Wollstonecraft
affected France in a good way. Montesquieu believed that France should be separated intro three
groups, executive, legislative, and judicial. He also believed that these three groups should have
equal power, rights, and respect. France got influenced with this concept and started applying it.
After some time, other countries such as America figured out that it was a helpful way of running
the government without any problems, and they started applying it too.

Karim Benchekoune

Voltaire stated that a human being should have the right to say whatever he or she wants
and he or she must have the right to believe in any country. Before Voltaire stated this to France,
the people in France were forced to become Christians. This caused chaos and deaths of many
people which did not lead to success. However, after the French president said that anyone living
in France has the right to believe in any religion, there was peace in France and it was a Better
place.
Beccaria believed that people should be treated fairly and good by the government. He
was against execution and was against torture. He believed that if a person committed murder, he
must be killed instantly without pain. France also got influenced by this rule and started applying
it. This lowered the crime rate and made France a better place.
Wollstonecraft believed that both men and women should have equal rights. They must
both have the rights to own property and vote. This brought a tremendous influence towards
France because before they started applying this concept, there was chaos because women
wanted their votes to be counted and wanted their voices to be taken in consideration.
Both America and France were heavily influenced by the Enlightenment period in a
positive way. The Enlightenment helped these countries succeed and gradually gain power and
wealth over the years. These countries also understood that there is one God and God put man to
earth for a reason. The Enlightenment thinkers also were a big part in helping strive for success.