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Agricultural Revolution
The Agricultural Revolution was a development in farming that helped shape not only Europe, but the world for decades to come. New developments, such as crop rotation - the process of rotating fields in order to keep the nutrients in the fields fresh for use - led to more productive and nutrious crops. Jethro Tull helped revolutionize plowing by advocating for the use of horses rather than oxen. Another revolutionary practice was replacing the traditional open field system with enclosed fields. -
Last Plague Outbreak
The Bubonic Plague, a.k.a. the Black Death, was a sever plague that had struck Europea several times, the most deadly of which was in the Medivel Period. The plague once again struck in 1721, affecting France more than most nations and killing 40,000. Once the plague withdrew, it would never be seen again in Europe. The conclusion of this event marked the beginning of a period of growing populations and lifespans. -
Cottage Industry Explosion
With growing populations in Europe, rural workers began seeking out work in industrial jobs. Wealthy capitalists from cities saw the opportunity and began offering these industrial jobs in small peasant cottages. This industry was dominated by what was called the "putting-out system." In this system, merchants would "put out" raw materials to peasents who in turn manufactured and provided finished products. The process began in England and slowly spread through Europe. -
Transatlantic Slave Trade
The growth of European colonies in the New World and the need for labor lead to an increasing interest in Africa. In what was called Triangular Trade, Colonies would send raw materials to Europe, where finished products would be made, some of which were sent back to the colonies. The remaining finished products were sent to Africa, where they were traded for slaves that were sent to the colonies. This practiced continues until it was outlawed in 1807. -
Illegitamcy Explosion
This period marked the beginning of new views towards marriage and families. The growing number of illegitamate births is debated by historiasn, but common causes cited include the growth of the cottage industry and new mobility. Young male workers who travelled to cities for jobs would often promise suscebtible young women marriage, often leading to sex, which was considered a serious courtship practice. The young men would later leave the women behind, leading to illegimate births. -
Seven Years War
The Seven Years war began as an offshoot of the French and Indian War, a conflict that had began in North America in 1754. The war involved France, Russia, and Austria in battle against Prussia and Britian. The war would wage until the 1763 Peace of Paris, resulting in a British victory over France. France was forced to give up its Louisianna territory to Spain, a devastating blow to the Empire. -
Navigation Acts
Originally created in 1651, the Navigation Acts were a series of laws that limited colonial trade between Britain and her colonies. The acts were tighten in 1763 and restricted the use of colonial shipping for trade to only British Ships manned by British crews. These acts were a step away from the previous policy of salutary neglect with the American Colonies. The Acts were repealed in 1854. -
The Wealth of Nations
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, or more commonly The Wealth of Nations, was a novel by scottish economist Adam Smith. This nation laid the primary foundations for the economic theory of capitalism and is considered one of the most influential novels of all time. Smith's work argued in favor of free trade and allowance of competition in the markets. He believed that individual will rather than government interference drove the economy. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was an event in which the people of France rose up against the monarchy, beginning with the Storming of the Bastille. Inspired by the American Revolution in 1776, the French originally rose to secure their personal liberty; however, the event snowballed into all out anarchy. Over 14,000 people were executed by rebels and a "reign of terror" took place between 1793 and 1794. The Revolution ended with the takeover of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. -
Smallpox Vaccine
The smallpox virus was a virus which had affected Europeans for decades. Edward Jenner became the first man to create a vaccine for the virus. He realized that an innoculation of cowpox would make you immune to the smallpox disease. This revolutionary development helped save the lives of millions and contributed to the increase of average life spans in Europe.
