During the Enlightenment period in the 1600s-1700s, people began to question traditional sources of authority like religion and hereditary monarchy. Philosophers like Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau proposed new democratic ideas about government, believing power should come from the people rather than divine right of kings. Their ideas spread and influenced groups like the American colonists, who revolted against Britain to establish one of the first modern democracies. Revolutions have driven many transformations throughout history by allowing people to challenge unfair systems and fight for greater freedoms.