Which movement aimed to challenge traditional authority and promote individual rights during the Enlightenment?

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The movement that aimed to challenge traditional authority and promote individual rights during the Enlightenment is the Enlightenment itself. This intellectual and philosophical movement, which emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority. Thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued for the importance of individual rights, liberty, and the social contract, which laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought.

The Enlightenment questioned previously accepted norms and authorities, including monarchy and religious dogma, advocating instead for a society based on rationality and egalitarian principles. This period also highlighted the importance of education and scientific inquiry, encouraging individuals to think independently and critically about their governments and societies.

In contrast, other movements such as the Industrial Revolution focused on economic changes and technological advancements, while the American Revolution was a response to Enlightenment ideas but not the philosophical movement itself. The Civil Rights Movement, while it dealt with the struggle for individual rights, arose significantly later and was rooted in different social and historical contexts. By understanding the Enlightenment as the precursor that challenged traditional authority and promoted individual rights, it becomes clear why it is the correct answer among the provided options.

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