How did he enlightenment change the way people viewed government?

The Enlightenment fundamentally shifted perspectives on government by promoting ideas of reason, individual rights, and the social contract. Thinkers like john Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that governments should be based on the consent of the governed and exist to protect individual freedoms. This led to increased skepticism of absolute monarchies and the divine right of kings, ultimately inspiring democratic movements and the belief that citizens have a role in shaping their governance. Consequently, Enlightenment ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles and human rights.