Definitily, they were a major turning point in history.
The liberation movement ushered new states into the geo politics of the world, and consequently interfered with the existing world imperialism and tyrannical order of the church and monarchy.
New ideas, on freedoms and equalities implies that people live to their fullest potentials. This meant more discoveries and inventions.
New ideas aslo are capable of preventing war. war is often started through propaganda, and with the emergence of the free press, that can counter such, it is highly likely that humanity will overcome the prospect of major world wars.
