The primary focus of the Enlightenment period in Europe was the promotion of reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau emphasized the importance of knowledge, scientific inquiry, and human rights. This intellectual movement encouraged advancement in philosophy, politics, and science, leading to significant societal changes, including the questioning of monarchies and the promotion of democratic ideals. Enlightenment ideas contributed to various revolutionary movements, including the American and French Revolutions, as people sought to apply reason to governance and social issues, moving away from dogmatic belief systems.