The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 was a catastrophic event that included a massive earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and widespread fires, leading to the near-total destruction of the city. This disaster had profound effects on European thought, challenging existing religious beliefs and prompting philosophical inquiries into the nature of suffering and divine justice. The earthquake significantly influenced Enlightenment thinking and discussions about the role of government in disaster response and urban planning.

The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 directly inspired Voltaire's 'Poem on the Lisbon Disaster' and 'Candide'. These works challenged the optimistic philosophy of Enlightenment theological determinism, reflecting the tension between human suffering and philosophical inquiry in poetry.