What significant change in governance occurred during the Age of Revolution?

The significant change in governance during the Age of Revolution was the shift from absolutist monarchies to constitutional states. This period, encompassing various revolutions such as the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799), marked a critical transition in political thought and governance structures.

Absolutist monarchies were characterized by absolute power held by monarchs who ruled without the consent of the governed or limitations on their authority. However, the Age of Revolution inspired new ideas about governance based on Enlightenment principles, emphasizing the rights of individuals and the necessity of a government that is accountable to its citizens. Consequently, revolutionary movements aimed to establish constitutional frameworks that limited the powers of rulers and protected individual liberties.

As a result, many countries that experienced revolutions moved towards establishing constitutions that defined the roles and limits of government, thereby creating constitutional states. This marked a fundamental transformation in how power was distributed and exercised, reflecting the growing demand for democracy and participation in governance by the populace.