-
The Great Northern War Begins
To kick off the century, Peter the Great begins an invasion of the Swedish Empire in the north to gain access to the Baltic Sea. This was part of Peter's grand plan to make Russia a power in Europe and to help Russia catch up in trade with access to the sea. In 1721, the Treaty of Nystad would give Russia the land necessary to build a city for trade. This is a continuation of European customs, invading and drawing allies in to help with your cause, similar to the 30 Years War. -
The Act of Settlement 1701
English Parliament chose to create the act that only allowed protestants to inherit the Throne of England and Ireland. This was a continuation of English government in may ways. Reinforcing England's opposition on Catholic monarchs that may attempt to take or inherit the throne of England this reflected feelings that were shown in the Glorious Revolution with the dethroning of the Catholic James II. We also see further limitations set on the monarch, showing the power of Parliament in England. -
The Pragmatic Sanction of 1713
In order to ensure that the HRE stayed within Hapsburg control Charles VI made it possible for daughters to inherit the throne. This was both a change and a continuity of European history. This was a great change, now women could hold power without need for a man, Queen Elizabeth had been a 1/100, now women could obtain power. This also continued royal traditions as it tried to limit power within a family, similar to Oliver Cromwell when he left his son his position upon his death in 1658. -
Daniel Defoe publishes "Robinson Crusoe"
The English writer publishes his book "Robinson Crusoe". The book soon gains 3 following editions and becomes a popular book being translated into several languages.The popularity of the book shows the continuity of the increasing literacy in Europe. This growth in literacy had begun in the mid 1500s following the Protestant Revolution and the translation of the "Bible" into vernacular. -
The Rococo style and the symphony
The Rococo style and the symphony begin to take popularity in Europe. The Rococo's theatrical and ornamental style flesh out the final stages of the Baroque movement; as with the Renaissance France and Italy would be first to adopt the style in Europe. The symphony was a continuity of the opera and would be a popular event for the high society eventually reaching the masses. JS Bach and Hayden would be some of the first symphony composers to bring the style to its greater potential. -
Voltaire publishes "Philosophical Letters"
Voltaire's "Philosophical Letters" were essays were in he compares the English and French government. He praises English constitutional monarchism while bashing the absolute monarchy in France. As was common with enlightenment thinkers the French government expressed their strong opposition to the publishing. This was an Enlightenment continuity of controversial writings, similar to the Jewish community expelling B. Spinoza. -
The War of Austrian Succession
Several European powers went to war over Maria Theresa's succession to the Hapsburg Monarchy. Though Charles VI made it possible for her to succeed him, the Austrian, Bohemian and Hungarian Thrones had laws that contradicted it. In the end, Theresa retained her power and was declared legitimate. This continued to show European nations involving themselves in issues of succession for their own interest, War of Spanish Succession. -
J-J Rousseau publishes "Du Contrat Social"
Rousseau's "Du Contrat Social" explored political community and its best forms. This book was highly praised and criticized. It influenced several reforms in Europe and even contributed to French Revolution against rulers by divine power. The book was banned in Paris in hopes to lessen the spread of its ideology. This was a clear continuity of the radical thinking that came from the Enlightenment. -
Royal Academy of Arts founded
King George III founded the Royal Academy of Arts to promote arts in Britain. This was a privately funded institution that was successful in its endeavor as it resulted in the creation of the Society of Artists of Great Britain. To this day it still operates on the idea of promoting art through exhibition and education. This was a continuity of a Royal Academy being privately funded, a thing that was common in the Scientific Revolution. -
Dominus ac Redemptor
Pope Clement XIV's bill to suppress the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits had been banned from Portugal, Spain and France because they did not yield to monarchical powers, only the pope. With intense pressure from the nations, the pope opted to suppress them almost to disbanding them. This was a big change from European history, normally the pope never yielded to the will of nations; Inter Caetera was the papal bull that divided the new world for Portugal and Spain even. -
Charles A. de Calonne leaves the office of Finance Minister
Charles A. de Calonne was the Finance Minister, but lost popularity for his tax reforms. He had composed a list of tax reforms, but met great opposition from the aristocracy and had to leave office. This instant showed how much power the nobles still had in France during the French Revolution. This was similar to when the HRE was heavily divided by the rich nobles that controlled most of the land locally and overpowered the Emperor's rule. -
The Guillotine
The French doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotin proposes this invention as the most efficient and humane way of execution. This device would see great use during Robespierre's Reign of Terror were he executed large numbers of French nobles for allying with Louis XVI. Its importance is marked by the actual consideration of a human way of death. This was a change from the normal methods that had been used in the past to torture people before death showing a growth as a humane people. -
Maximilien Robespierre's death
The man that headed the French Revolution now found himself at the receiving end of the very device he used to execute his opponents. This served as a lesson to the world of how quick one becomes what they sought to destroy, in this case a tyrant. After his Reign of Terror his followers saw that he was just another person that wanted absolute power. This was a repetition of Cromwell, the monarch is removed a new government is placed, but then quickly changed after power is abused. -
Napoleon crosses the Alps
After a power vacuum in France, Napoleon successfully gained power filling the void; his military successes serving as his qualifying points. Napoleon soon began his wars to gain land and marched his army through the snowy Alps to invade Austria. This marked the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars and his great ambitions to expand France. Similar to Louis XIV, Napoleon sought to expand France, but differently he was actually successful.
