The drastic shift in power dynamics in early modern Europe during the Age of Enlightenment was influenced by the rise of rationalism and skepticism towards traditional authority. Enlightenment thinkers championed ideals such as individual liberty, equality, and the importance of reason in governance. This period saw a questioning of monarchal rule and the promotion of republicanism, leading to revolutionary ideas that inspired movements like the American Revolution and the French Revolution. The shift laid the groundwork for modern democratic governance and individual rights.