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Dbq Essay On The Enlightenment

786 Words4 Pages

Brian Inthasane
Mr. Gloria
World History AP Modern
2/10/2023

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Scientific Revolution in Europe adopted the idea of experimenting to gather data rather than drawing conclusions based solely on faith. Following that, a dramatic rise in free independent thinkers during the 17th and 18th centuries led to the Age of Enlightenment. People began to question social, political, and religious aspects during the Enlightenment. European Enlightenment philosophers and thinkers of the era promoted individual liberty through their writings on the government, religion, economics, and gender equality. Prior governments were absolute monarchies such as Louis XIV, in which power was held solely by one person, with no room for …show more content…

He aimed for religious tolerance for the country, much like Akbar of the Mughal Empire. Voltaire presents us with a scenario that could be hypothesized by future generations and viewed by those of the present in the 1726 work, Letters Concerning the English Nation. He argues that “If one religion only were allowed in England, the government would very possibly become arbitrary [unrestrained]; if there were but two, the people would cut one another’s throats; but as there are such a multitude, they all live happy and in peace.” Voltaire expresses that humanity is at peace because of such diversity, tolerance and freedom; if not for diversity, the government would control religion, and competing religions would wage war on one another. However, while the discussion of religion was important, many people had issues with Europe's economic …show more content…

Adam Smith, an enlightenment thinker at the time, shared his thoughts on the economic situation in document C, The Wealth of Nations, 1776. According to the provided source, “Every individual necessarily [contributes to] the annual revenue of the society as great as he can.. He … neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it”. Smith offers his viewpoint in order to make the intended audience (rich, educated people) realize that self-interest and greed essentially help the economy progress whether or not individuals realize it; individuals should be free to pursue whatever they wish. As debates about the economic system in Europe developed, out came new social concepts that were flawed in Europe’s

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