The Enlightenment was an important part of the Age of Reason. It was a period in the 18th Century when people started to question traditional beliefs and authorities, believing that science could explain everything. The philosophers of the Enlightenment emphasised the deducing from nature of certain ideas which would make possible a new advance towards perfection in society. The basic requirement for this progression, it was argued, was human reason.

There were several reasons for these changes in Europe during the 18th Century, most of which came from outside the political spectrum. Firstly, by this period, most of the world had been discovered and an increased range of food, clothing and precious metals were reaching the European upper-classes. The explorations made educated people increasingly aware of the vast range of religions and government systems in different parts of the world. Individuals were noticing that societies could maintain moral values whilst not having a strong central government.