What was the legacy of the Enlightenment on political revolutions worldwide?

• A. It promoted absolute rule by monarchs
• B. It supported the idea of divine right
• C. It provided a philosophical framework for advocating rights and governance based on popular consent
• D. It discouraged democratic reforms

Answer: (C)

The Enlightenment significantly influenced political revolutions around the world by providing a philosophical framework that emphasized individual rights and governance based on the consent of the governed. Thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu laid the groundwork for ideas about democracy, social contracts, and the inherent rights of individuals. These ideas challenged traditional authority and absolute monarchies, promoting the belief that governments should derive their power from the will of the people rather than divine right or hereditary succession.

The Enlightenment encouraged people to question established norms and seek systems of governance that reflected their collective will, which directly contributed to revolutionary movements, such as the American and French Revolutions. As a result, the Enlightenment's legacy is marked by the promotion of civil liberties, equality, and a push towards democratic governance across the globe, making it a pivotal moment in the development of modern political thought and practice.