Enlightenment Philosophes The Enlightenment movement took place in the 18th and 17th centuries. The movement used reason to support statements. This movement shaped modern Western political thoughts or laws. The Enlightenment would clash with the Christian or Medieval ways because they relied on religious dogma. The Enlightenment used freedom, peace, and political power to be revolutionary. According to Kant, people who aren’t enlightened were lacking courage to speak on their own beliefs and ideas (source 1). Many people followed the religious ideas and ways because they were to scared to base ideas on reason and experiences. When the Colonist faced off against the British they used Enlightenment ideas that was revolutionary, or indepent.