The Enlightenment affected everyone in one way or another. Wether it be from the social classes, religious beliefs, or its political structure. Some people agreed with these ideas but some also went against them. The ideas of the Enlightenment had the largest impact on the social classes and political structures. Some of these effects were for the better and some were for the worst. Which impact created a bigger change in the world? The Enlightenment thoughts caused many people to second guess or go against the traditional ways of governing and social classes. The times before the Enlightenment, referred to as the Dark Ages, were greatly different to what we're used to today, their priorities and ways of ruling …show more content…
Equality became known and most people were seen as equal after The Declaration of Independence was made. This declaration supports "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal" (The Declaration of Independence Doc. 10). The thoughts during the Dark Ages now seemed to be ridiculous. Thomas Paine was one of the many who thought this and claimed "There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of the Monarchy; it first excludes a mms from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgement is required" (Paine Doc. 11). Finally there was beliefs that you could do as you wish in freedom as long as it does not endanger anyone else, also known as natural rights. This idea is claimed by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen, this claims that "Political liberty consists in the power of doing whatever does not injured another. The exercise of the natural rights of every man, has no other limits than those of which are necessary to secure to every other man the free exercise or the same rights" (Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens Doc. 12). After the Enlightenment people were given equal rights and more equal social