The enlightment basic ideology is freedom. Freedom to choose your own opinion, freedom to do what you desire, freedom to pursue something that you want, etc.
The independence itself is the embodiment of enlightnment because independence is the act of break free from a restrictive rule or establishment that previously dictate what you should and shouldn't do.
Answer:
In order to execute imperialism, it is very important to have the support of the people. The most efficient way to have and maintain the support of the people is to promote nationalism.
Explanation:
Nationalism is very different than patriotism. Patriotism can be define as the love of being from a country with respecting also the sovereignty of other nations. On the other hand, nationalism is an aggressive love for a country without considering the sovereignty of other nations. Nationalism is the key element to go to war. The leader of a nation can never go to war without practicing nationalism on his people as his political tool.
US economic influence in other countries led to -cultural- diffusion.