What if the Enlightenment had gone differently?

Reason, rights and progress become the vocabulary of educated Europe.

If it had gone differently: Absolutism keeps its intellectual cover; 'rights of man' never enters common speech.

The real history on Wikipedia ↗

Later turning points that leaned on the Enlightenment. Change it in the game and the ripples reach all of these.

1. 1776The American Revolution. Without it, British North America stays British; no early proof that a large republic can work.
2. 1789The French Revolution. Without it, The Bourbons reform slowly from above; Europe's old order bends instead of breaking.
3. 1796Jenner's smallpox vaccine. Without it, Smallpox keeps culling children into the 20th century; the very idea of a vaccine arrives late.
4. 1820Latin American independence. Without it, Spain's American empire holds; the idea that a colony can simply declare itself a nation loses its second great proof.
5. 1833Britain abolishes slavery. Without it, The biggest naval power keeps slavery legal; abolition loses its first state sponsor and stalls for decades.
6. 1870Compulsory mass schooling. Without it, Literacy and numeracy stay patchy; the workforce and the electorate of 1900 look much like 1800's.