The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authorities. Key thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu shaped modern political thought by advocating for concepts such as liberty, equality, and the social contract. Their ideas inspired revolutions in America and France, promoting democracy and human rights. The Enlightenment laid the groundwork for modern political ideologies, contributing to the conceptual framework of governance that prioritizes individual freedoms and the notion that governments derive power from the consent of the governed.