The Enlightenment period in Europe was initiated by a confluence of essential conditions, including the rise of empirical scientific inquiry, the questioning of traditional authority, and the spread of literacy through the printing press. The Renaissance had already begun to foster new ideas about humanity and nature, but it was the development of rationalist philosophies, such as those proposed by thinkers like Descartes and Locke, that truly ignited the Enlightenment. The flourishing of intellectual salons and increased communication among philosophers allowed for the exchange of ideas, ultimately leading to significant social and political transformations, including revolutions and the establishment of democratic principles.