Essay On Enlightenment Dbq

The ideas of Enlightenment sprung forth during the Eighteenth Century. The goal was to remake society along rational lines because at the time people believed that humanity could be improved through rational change. One main driving idea or main idea of Enlightenment was equality, which is described as the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. As well as independence, which is being free from outside control; not depending on another's authority. Even though these thoughts were not as popular as the main ideas spread around during the Age of Absolutism, (such as having a King having absolute power and doing what he pleases) they still were important as they directly inspired the French and American revolutions.

In Document B Letters Concerning the English Nation By Voltaire, fully describes how by having equality improves

society. “Take a view of the Royal Exchange [trading center] in London … where the representatives of all nations meet for the benefit of mankind. There the Jew, the Mahometan [Muslim], and the Christian transact together as tho’ they all professed the same religion.” The people at the exchange treat each other with respect and as equals due to the fact that they all want success and money. Once they gain money, their respective economies, nations, and livelihoods improve.

In Document C Adam Smith’s The Wealth Of Nations Smith expresses the idea that Independence is important in order to make a county rich.

Instead of relying on the king to make economic decisions, common people will do a better job by promoting their own self-interests instead of having a king trying to guide the industry and making it enticing to the common people. “He … neither intends to promote the public interest nor knows how much he is promoting it… [H]e intends only his own gain, and he is in this… led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention… By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more [effectively] than when he really intends to promote it.” When given the choice people will spend their money on what benefits themselves by doing so they take the economy to new heights and in fact does better than the king. As he is a man on the outside looking in and not fully understanding the economy the same way that the common people do. Freedom over the economy allows a civilization to grow for the people’s needs instead of the government's

wants.
In conclusion, the main ideas of Enlightenment where independence and equality. Due to these ideas, the markets became enhanced. Improved finances of the common people lead to a more equitable society that was focused mainly on wealth accumulation. So, yes the main ideas of Enlightenment where independence and equality, however, these words were not used in the same context we use them. For instead of relating to people and how to treat them, these words were used purely in the acquisition and accumulation of increasing wealth.