-
St. Petersburg Founded
Russia under Peter the Great made territorial gains during the Great Northern War along the Baltic Coast. Seeking to westernize Russia, Peter established St. Petersburg as the new capital and a new navy fleet. This solidified Russia as a major European power and high Russian society began to reflect French and English courts. Due to this expansion, Russia played a part in the major European conflicts of the century. -
First Commercially Successful Steam Engine
While earlier prototypes existed in the 17th century, Thomas Newcomen developed the first successful model in 1712. It was used in mining to move water and in textile mills to power machinery. The steam engine would become the foundation for transportation and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. -
Four-Year Crop Rotation Introduced
New methods for more intensive farming like the four-year crop rotation signaled the beginning of the Agricultural Revolution. Coupled with the Rotherham plow, the new crop rotation greatly increased yields while protecting soil health and nutrient levels. This improvement in agricultural efficiency gradually allowed the workforce to diversify and shifted western Europe away from an agrarian society. -
War of Austrian Succession Begins
The War of Austrian Succession reshaped the balance of power in Europe. Prussia, which seized control of Silesia, emerges as a major militaristic and industrious power. Eventually, the Prussians would unite all of Germany under their rule as they built a stronger state than the rest of the Holy Roman Empire's states. Fighting in the low countries also bankrupted the already debt-ridden French state, causing food shortages and unrest in France. -
Seven Years' War (Begins)
The Seven Years' War was one of the first truly global wars and resulted in colonies changing hands far from Europe. Notably, England cemented its control over India, forcing out the French and native rulers. They also gained Caribbean territories and control of Eastern Canada. As a result, England became firmly dominant economically over France and Spain for the remainder of the century. On the continent, fighting was brutal but there was very little territory acquired by any nation. -
Invention of the Spinning Jenny
The spinning jenny was a device used to spin cotton or wool in textile mills. It, among other new technology, provided the basis for the Industrial Revolution. Early textile mills, particularly in England, began using water power and this machinery to centralize the textile industry. Eventually, the use of factories spread to other industries and countries and completely overhauled Europe's economy. -
Pugachev's Rebellion
Pugachev led a coalition of cossacks and peasants against the regime of Catherine II. It represented the climax of Russian resentment of the intensified feudal structure and the westernizing reforms under Peter the Great. Church serfs, in particular, were likely to rebel as church administration under Peter the Great's system often mishandled and abused serfs. The rebellion represented the Old Believer faction of the Orthodox church who practiced traditional rituals. -
Adam Smith Publishes "The Wealth of Nations"
Adam Smith was the first to formulate a fully modern, capitalist economic system as a critique of mercantilism. He believed that a restrictive model like mercantilism would eventually harm productivity more than maintaining a free market. This work combined enlightenment ideas with economic theory and greatly influenced the development of economics in the west as countries like England transitioned towards capitalism. -
French Revolution Begins
The French people were unhappy with conditions under the ancien regime and the Estates-General was established. A new constitution was also written that emphasized equality and sought to remove class divisions. It outlawed feudalism and guaranteed citizens equal treatment under the law, completely overhauling the traditional French power structure. Eventually, the Revolution would end in 1799 with the French Consulate and the foundations for Napoleon's empire. -
First Vaccine Developed
In 1976 Edward Jenner invented the vaccine by producing the world's first smallpox vaccine. It was administered around the world and opened a new era of medicine. Preventative methods could now support the growth of cities during the industrial revolution to limit disease epidemics amidst limited sanitation. Overall, vaccination improved the European quality of life and prepared the continent for further development.