The Enlightenment was a cultural movement, spearheaded by intellectuals, that began in Europe at the start of the 17th century. It emphasized individualism and reason over tradition and sought to reform society by challenging those ideas that were based primarily on faith and tradition. Skepticism and scientific thought were promoted, and logic was viewed as a means to arrive at conclusions which were to be tested against evidence and revised, if necessary. Across the Atlantic, the Enlightenment's political ideals were promoted by the writings and influence of Americans, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and were reflected in the American Declaration of Independence and the United States Bill of Rights. The Scientific Revolution was also closely tied to Enlightenment ideas.
<span>The Enlightenment, sometimes called the 'Age of Enlightenment', was a late 17th- and 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism. The Enlightenment presented a challenge to traditional religious views. Enlightenment thinkers were the liberals of their day.</span>
