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The Reading Revolution (1690-1789)
The Reading Revolution was a change that happened due to the creation of the removable type printing press which allied my books to be printed for cheaper prices. In the reading revolution, we saw that the consumption of books grew since past eras. In addition to this, the publication of religious and devotional books declined which signified a change in European society. -
Putting Out System (1700s)
The Putting Out System is also referred to as the Cottage Industry. The Cottage industry started to form when fields were starting to be enclosed. Within the cottage industry, a merchant would loan raw materials to cottage workers who would then process those materials into goods. Due to the cottage industry, we saw an increase of workers working for a wage. -
The Renewal of Guilds (18th Century)
One continuity that remained through the 18th century is that guilds remained as a source for jobs. Guilds originated in the 1200s during the middle ages. In the 18th century guilds significantly grew in numbers due to the growing population and need for new jobs because of the loss of farmland. In order to restrict the number of guild members, a member of a guild had to be a male who was Christian and who had work experience and paid guild fees. -
Peace of Utrecht (1713)
The Peace of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession. The War of Spanish Succession was a conflict between France and Britain which were seen as the most powerful imperial countries at the time. In the Peace of Utrecht Louis XIV was forced to give up France’s northernmost American territory to Britain. The Peace of Utrecht made the British empire stronger by gaining more territory over their French rivals. -
Enclosure Act
Between 1604 and 1914 there were 5200 Enclosure Acts passed. Before the Enclosure Acts, most of Europe had an open field system where land was divided for different peasants to farm. With the open field system the plot of land was owned by a noble or a clergy member but the whole village farmed the land. However, when the Enclosure Act was passed this kicked many peasants out of a job. This made them go seek jobs outside of the agricultural realm. -
Treaty of Paris (1763)
In the beginning of the Seven Years War, the French were successful at keeping the British out of their land in the fur trading region. However the British then used their navy to destroy the French fleet and siege Quebec. In the Treaty of Paris, the French lost the rest of their holdings in mainland North America and most of its holdings in India. This further gave rise to the British Empire and allowed the British to control large sectors of trade between Europe, North America, and Asia. -
The Fall of the Mughals (1764)
The British had gained trading rights with the Mughal Empire in 1716 and asserted their power throughout India. The British East India Company made alliances with certain Indian princes and waged war against others. But in 1764 they finally gained control of the whole Mughal empire which allowed them to have full control of trade throughout India. They left the King on the throne but in title only. By defeating the Mughal Empire the British dominated Atlantic and Asian commerce. -
Adam Smith and Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of Wealth of Nations (1766)
For the longest time in Europe, mercantilism had ruled the European economy. In the earlier years of Europe, states closely managed their economies. Adam Smith in his book criticized guilds and corporations for their outdated restrictions. He also addressed how he believed that free competition would be better for state economies. Smith’s ideas went on to help reform many countries economical ideas and inspired independent merchants to campaign against the monopolies of colonial empires -
The peak of the African Slave Trade (1780’s)
The peak of the African Slave Trade marked the immense growth of plantation agriculture. Plantation agriculture became a huge moneymaker for both the Spanish Empire and the British Empire. In the 1780s 80,000 slaves were being shipped per year. The rise in slave shipment marked the change from small farmers to large plantations in the colonies. With the rise of the slave trade also came the rise of the triangle trade which created a truly global economy. -
The Pale of Settlement (1791)
Jewish people have long been subjugated to harsh treatment from many people throughout Europe. While Jewish people did have much success in the Finance sector of many businesses this did not help them gain more rights. In the 18th century, the treatment of Jews was no different. In 1791 Catherine the Great established the Pale of Settlement which was a territory in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine where Jews were required to live.
