What long-term effects did the Enlightenment have on European, and later American, societies?

The Enlightenment instigated major intellectual and social transformations in Europe and America, leading to the creation of constitutional monarchies and republics, the American and French Revolutions, and the implementation of Enlightenment ideals in the U.S. founding documents. However, the benefits of these changes were initially limited, primarily reaching white men of the upper and middle classes.

Explanation:

The Enlightenment was a profound intellectual movement that had lasting impacts on European and American societies. The emphasis on natural rights and reason led to pivotal social and political transformations such as the reduction of the Catholic Church's dominance, criticism of arbitrary royal entitlements, and the questioning of the nobility's entrenched privileges. These ideas were integral to the development of constitutional monarchies and republics, challenging the existing divine right monarchies.Furthermore, the Enlightenment principles of liberty, rights, and the rejection of tyranny were instrumental in philosophical movements and political revolutions, like the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. The Enlightenment's influence is also evident in the founding documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence, which reflects the era's belief in the government's responsibility to protect life, liberty, and property. Despite its significant influence on society, it's important to acknowledge that the Enlightenment's ideals were not universally applied. Often, these ideals were only extended to the upper and middle-class White men, while women, lower social classes, and people of color were frequently excluded from its benefits.