What is the enlightenment and how did it impact the colonies?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights. In the American colonies, Enlightenment ideals influenced the push for independence from British rule, as thinkers like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin drew upon these principles to justify their calls for liberty and self-governance. The Enlightenment also influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which reflected its emphasis on natural rights and democratic principles.