What was the enlightmenment and who were some of the key contributors and their ideas

Enlightnment was humanity's growth into intellectual maturity.

some key contributors:

Hobbes - wrote Leviathan, strong gov. ensures orderly society

Montesquieu - believed in separation of powers

Voltaire - Freedom of Thought

Hobbes - wrote Leviathan, strong gov. ensures orderly society

Diderot - freedom of expression