Synposis:

 

How did the West modernise? The 18th century European Enlightenment was a key transformation, bringing science, freedom and belief in the individual. It changed the world.

 

In the space of barely a century, deference to authority – divine and royal – gave way to a belief that everyone could understand their own nature and the universe around them. Many look to China as a successful civilisation without Christianity. And then the Enlightenment takes off in action through three of its heroes: Condorcet, finally dying at the hands of the French Revolution he did so much to inspire; Frederick the Great, the tyrant who brought in liberal reforms and expanded Prussia by military force; and Thomas Jefferson, drafter of the noble Declaration of Independence, but himself a slave-owner.

 

 

Broadcaster: BBC/CCTV9/ARTE

 

Distributor: BBCWW

 

Genre: History Series

 

Format: 3x60min

 

Executive Producer: Alan Hayling, Shuyun Sun

 

Producer: Shuyun Sun

 

Director: Sheila Hayman