18th Century Economy and Society

  • Protest seen as vulgar

    Protest seen as vulgar
    In this time period, it was seen as vulgar and unnecessary to vehemently advocate for one thing or another. This, accompanied with the dominance of tyranny across the continent, kept the wheels of change from turning for centuries. This, however, was soon to change.
  • The War of Spanish Succession Begins

    The War of Spanish Succession Begins
    The War of Spanish Succession began in 1701 when the last Hapsburg King of Spain died without an heir to the throne. The war was fought to decide who should inherit the Spanish throne. The participating nations were France, the Holy Roman Empire, England, and of course, Spain. This war changed the political relations and trading habits of European nations for a long time.
  • Spain and England sign a contract for the slave trade

    Spain and England sign a contract for the slave trade
    In 1713 Spain and England came to an agreement in which England would be Spain's sole supplier of slaves for their sugar plantations in the New World. This deal created a monopoly in one aspect of the slave market for England, which benefit them financially.
  • Coffee is first grown by Europeans in Brazil

    Coffee is first grown by Europeans in Brazil
    In the year 1727, the European people took their first step into the coffee market independently by growing the plant in Brazil for the first time. This enabled a monopoly for Europeans in which they would no longer need natives as middlemen and could use them as workers instead.
  • Taking Calcutta Back

    Taking Calcutta Back
    In 1757, Calcutta was taken back from its captors by Indian forces backed by England and the British East India Company. This ensured ease of trade for the British which had been hard to come by in previous years.
  • Establishment of St. Louis

    Establishment of St. Louis
    The city of St. Louis is established by a French trading company. The city served as a port along the Mississippi river that aided in efficiency of trade in America.
  • James Cook returns to Tahiti

    James Cook returns to Tahiti
    The British expedition leader James Cook led a second trip to Tahiti, a Pacific island located in the center of the southern Pacific ocean. This was a potential trade outpost with natural resources such as vanilla that would be profitable for England.
  • Beginning of the French Revolution

    Beginning of the French Revolution
    The beginning of the French Revolution marked a new era in regards to the economic structure of Europe. For years, the noble class had dominated society and government. This was soon to change as the French Revolution was fought under the main premise that the 10% of rich people not control every aspect of the other 90%'s life.
  • Slave revolt is put down in Domingue (Haiti)

    Slave revolt is put down in Domingue (Haiti)
    A group of white slave owners defeat and punish a larger group of slaves who rebelled against them. Many of the slaves were hanged and beaten for what they did.
  • France regains Louisiana

    France regains Louisiana
    France and Spain sign a secret treaty that allows France to control Louisiana which sets the scene for American westward expansion and the Louisiana Purchase