Final answer:
During the Enlightenment, new ideas and beliefs emerged that challenged the authority of monarchs based on divine right. This led to the downfall of absolute monarchies and the rise of democratic governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition from democracy to absolute monarchies during the Enlightenment was influenced by new ideas and beliefs that challenged the traditional authority of monarchs based on divine right. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau proposed concepts such as constitutional monarchies and republics that emphasized the rights and autonomy of individuals.
These ideas clashed with the entrenched privileges and dominance of the nobility and the Catholic Church. The French Revolution and the American Revolution were major events that resulted from these tensions and led to the downfall of absolute monarchies and the rise of democratic governments.