The Enlightenment had a profound impact on revolutionary movements in America and France by promoting ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy. Thinkers such as John Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire questioned traditional authority and emphasized individual rights. In America, these Enlightenment ideals fueled the struggle for independence from British rule, culminating in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In France, the Enlightenment inspired the French Revolution of 1789, which sought to dismantle the monarchy and establish a republic based on reason and republican values. Ultimately, the Enlightenment encouraged citizens to challenge oppressive systems and strive for more equitable societies.