The Enlightenment promoted ideals of reason, individualism, and skepticism of tradition as a response to the challenges faced during the 17th and 18th centuries, including religious wars and political tyranny. Philosophers like Voltaire and John Locke advocated for rational thought and empirical evidence, challenging established authorities and oppressive regimes. This intellectual movement fostered a climate of reform, inspiring revolutions and the development of democratic principles that significantly reshaped societies in Europe and beyond.