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War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713)
This war reshaped European power dynamics. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) marked many new conditions for states to live under, one being a balance of power so that one state was not too powerful. Another result of this was that Britain gained major territories giving them naval dominance in the Mediterranean. This was a change in the Maritime structure as the Dutch’s power Waned and fanned to Britain. -
Usage of Norfolk Crop Rotation (1730)
The rotating crop system was made popular by Charles Townsend in the 18th century. This method involved rotating crops to maintain soil fertility and avoid a fallow year. This innovations promoted agricultural productivity and made life in Europe better. As more food was being produced te people were getting healthier and the population was increasing. -
War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)
The War of Austrian Succession was a European conflict that questioned Marie Theresa’s succession to the Habsburg throne. The war had significant economic impact as it resulted in European governments borrowing money and raising taxes which contributed to economic instability. The rise of taxes created social discontent and made people reconsider the structure and framework of their government. The discontent and awareness of the government led to changes within the governance across Europe. -
The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)
The Seven Years’ War was a global conflict within the major European powers. The war highlighted ongoing struggles between England and France for global domination. The Seven Years’ War acted as an extension to ongoing conflict between England and France for territories in North America. Like other wars this conflict put participating nations into a time of economic struggle which lead to increased tax on the people and a surge of debt. -
The Industrial Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution there was a shift from agrarian societies to industrial ones. This led to people moving to cities in search for work. The rapid growth of industrial cities displayed a change in the old social structure of society by introducing new occupations developed from a time marked with lesser technology. Urbanization led to overcrowding and the living conditions were not ideal as people would live in small tenements and throw trash and their waste into the streets. -
Spinning Jenny Patented (1770)
The spinning jenny by James Hargreaves was patented in 1770. This invention was a machine used for spinning cotton and wool. It was used in the cottage industry to speed up textile production. This invention led to the growth of the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution because it changed the speed and efficiency of the production of goods. -
Enclosure Act of 1773
The enclosure movement was the urge to privatize land by fencing it in. This was widely opposed by peasants because they relied on open land for their farming and grazing. This act was passed by parliament in Britain and enacted a law to enable the enclosure of land. This forced them to have to migrate to towns and cities to work. This caused rural depopulation, but on the other hand resulted in productivity that historians believe to be a prerequisite to the Industrial Revolution. -
Adam Smith published “The Wealth of Nations”
This book by Adam Smith proposes the idea that humans have a need to fulfill their interest and it can be beneficial for society. He denounces mercantilism and proposes that allowing individuals to pursue self interest in a free market is the correct way to strengthen the economic state of the nations. This contributed to the usage of free market when it came to economics. This change allowed for people of all social classes to have a chance to pursue their own wealth, not just the privileged. -
French Revolution (1789-1799)
The French Revolution marked political and social change in France inspired by liberal and radical ideas.The Revolution confronted the lasting effects of feudalism in France. It marked changes to the hierarchy system. Another cause was the continuation of economic discontent between the people and the monarch. Both social and economic factors were continued and helped to cause the revolution however by the end these policies and grievances were changed. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This document highlighted continuity with Enlightened ideas and had significant impact on the social and economic state of France. It was written during the early stages of the French Revolution and drew inspiration from Enlightened thinkers like Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. The document pursued land reforms and the acknowledgment of individual rights. The declaration contributed to the shift to meritocracy in Europe and fostered a sense of identity and unity amongst French citizens.