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The Industrious Revolution
The Industrious Revolution was a period in which European people began to work a significant amount more. This was mostly contained to farms at the time. It resulted in better food security as well as more products flowing into local markets. This was a change, as before this the amount of food being produced left space for a drought to wipe out food sources, causing a famine. -
Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was the culmination of many different philosophers producing new ideas. People such as John Locke and Montesquieu published works revolutionizing thinking about how governments should treat people. These new ideas spread across the European continent, causing distrust in monarchs. This marked a change in thinking, bringing into question the institutions that had ruled Europe for centuries -
European Agricultural Revolution
The Agricultural Revolution was a time during which European farming was improved. The introduction of Tull's seed drill, crop rotation, and selective breeding combined to make food production easier. This resulted in a population boom due to a surplus of food. This marked a significant change, as before farmers used practices that detrimentally impacted soil health and plant growth. -
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period of time in which industry and innovation flourished in Europe. Inventions such as the steam engine and factory lines sped up production, marking economic growth. New innovations also improved the quality of life for everyday people. This represented a major change in Europe, improving the economy and bringing in new inventions. -
Urbanization
Urbanization occurred as acts like the Enclosure Acts forced thousands off their farms. This meant cities saw a massive increase in population, meaning there was a shortage of housing. While the Industrial Revolution created many jobs in cities, these jobs were often paid next to nothing, meaning many fell into poverty. This was a massive shift in Europe, as economies switched away from agrarian focused exports to industry. -
European Empires and Slavery
As European empires spread, the amount of goods they received and sent out increased. One major industry that started exploding was the slave trade, where Europeans would take people from Africa to the Americas to work on plantations. They took the raw material they produced and would then be shipped back to mainland Europe. This is a continuity, as European powers had been doing this for centuries before. -
Capitalism Rises
As industry and production increased, capitalism became a leading economic system. Especially in developed countries such as Britain, governments started sponsoring industries like banking and shipping. The rise of this new economy increases competition between nations over materials to produce. This was a major change in economy as a change from the popular mercantilism of the 16th and 17th century. -
Abolishing of Serfdom
The French Revolution brought about new ideas about social structure, causing the dissipation of feudal estates. This meant that many wealthy landowners were forced to give up their many acres, to the government or farmers. The farmers experienced much more freedom because of this, being able to work without worrying about the noble that ruled over them. This was a change, as feudalism across western and central Europe was all but irradiated due to French Revolutionary ideas. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a culmination of Enlightenment ideals and political unrest. The French people decided that the king did not represent their interest, and revolted against him in the first major violent Revolution of the modern period. The king was overthrown, and a democratic government was instated. This marked a change in Europe, as common people realized they could rise against the government and mold a new one to their liking. -
Class Hierarchy
Despite the French Revolution and other revolutionary movements, social hierarchy persisted across Europe. The rich and elite controlled many aspects of society, often holding power over commoners and even the government. Common people did not gain rights or power, meaning they had almost no opportunity for social rising and improvement of quality of life. This was a continuity, as for centuries the rich held power over the rest of the country.