The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in 18th century Europe. The goal of the enlightenment was to establish an authoritative ethics, aesthetics, and knowledge based on an "enlightened" rationality. The movements leaders viewed themselves as a courageous elite body of intellectuals who were leading the world towards progress, out of a long period of irrationality, superstition. The English philosopher and political theorist John Locke laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contribution. His political theory of government by the consent of the governed as a means to protect life, liberty and estate. His essay on religious tolerance provided an early model.
Hope this helps!
The french fleet cut off the British from retreating Yorktown by sea.
The Middle Colonies had much fertile soil, which allowed the area to become a major exporter of wheat and other grains. The lumber and shipbuilding industries were also successful in the Middle Colonies because of the abundant forests, and Pennsylvania was moderately successful in the textile and iron industries.
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France, as well as their respective allies. In the terms of the treaty, France gave up all its territories in mainland North America, effectively ending any foreign military threat to the British colonies there.
