-the ideas of the Enlightenment played a major role in inspiring the French Revolution, which began in 1789 and emphasized the rights of common men as opposed to the exclusive rights of the elites. As such, they laid the foundation for modern, rational, democratic societies.
One of Jefferson's contributions to American history was the writting of the Declaration of Independence but his importance goes far beyond that, he served as an officer in the Virginia militia (colonel) before becoming legislator and governor of the independent state
