Explain what the Age of Enlightment is. In which countries did it have the most significant effect? Mention its most relevant thinkers too!

The Age of Enlightment was an 18th century cultural and theoretical movement in Europe. It was most prominent in France and in England, but it had crucial effects on the German and ealry American culture. The scope of enlightment is to “free every individual”, to “make them happy” and to “propagate the light”, namely the scientific results of the era. This way of thinking went against the pre-existing church-centered and feudalistic society. Its followers fought to reform the economy and the society.
In France we can mention Voltaire and Mostequieu, who with their philosophical principles reformed the french society and the latter’s doctrine of separation of powers deeply affected the thinkers of England. Here, in England, the most prominent thinkers were John Locke and the economist Adam Smith, who’s work (The Wealth of Nations) is still one of the most important base principles of today’s economy.