European States, International Wars, and Social Change
"My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please."
- Frederick the Great of Prussia
"My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please."
- Frederick the Great of Prussia
CHAPTER 18: THE 18TH CENTURY- EUROPEAN STATES, INTERNATIONAL WARS, AND SOCIAL CHANGE
This chapter focuses on the bigger picture of the 18th century- what was occurring in Europe around the Enlightenment? The 1700's may have been a century of groundbreaking new philosophies, but how much did change really occur? And when it did occur, whom did it benefit? Overall, European states remained monarchies with divine right justification, but many European monarchs began to embrace Enlightenment ideals, even if they did not always "practice what they preached". Some notable enlightened despots included Frederick the Great of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine the Great of Russia. This development began to open the gates for major changes that would occur at the end of the 18th century in the form of revolutions and lay the groundwork for the mother of all revolutions- the French Revolution of 1789. The 1700's was also a century known for some of the very first "modern" international trade wars, in particular the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War. These conflicts were largely the result of 17th century mentalities of mercantilism and absolutism, but would have consequences that would usher in new regimes all over the world. And finally, while major changes seemed to be occurring in the upper classes, for the rest of European society, change came slowly. While there were some changes in the European economy and agriculture, most of society remained relatively unchanged. The aristocracy dominated social and economic life, and the peasants remained poor for the most part. Europe maintained its system of estates, the ancien regime, alive and well, and would begin to crumble until the French Revolution.
This chapter focuses on the bigger picture of the 18th century- what was occurring in Europe around the Enlightenment? The 1700's may have been a century of groundbreaking new philosophies, but how much did change really occur? And when it did occur, whom did it benefit? Overall, European states remained monarchies with divine right justification, but many European monarchs began to embrace Enlightenment ideals, even if they did not always "practice what they preached". Some notable enlightened despots included Frederick the Great of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine the Great of Russia. This development began to open the gates for major changes that would occur at the end of the 18th century in the form of revolutions and lay the groundwork for the mother of all revolutions- the French Revolution of 1789. The 1700's was also a century known for some of the very first "modern" international trade wars, in particular the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War. These conflicts were largely the result of 17th century mentalities of mercantilism and absolutism, but would have consequences that would usher in new regimes all over the world. And finally, while major changes seemed to be occurring in the upper classes, for the rest of European society, change came slowly. While there were some changes in the European economy and agriculture, most of society remained relatively unchanged. The aristocracy dominated social and economic life, and the peasants remained poor for the most part. Europe maintained its system of estates, the ancien regime, alive and well, and would begin to crumble until the French Revolution.
Click below to download the PowerPoint slides for Chapter 18:
ch_18_spielvogel_slides.pptx | |
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File Type: | pptx |
Click below for the Chapter 18 Primary Source Reading Packet
ch_18_readings.docx | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Chapter 18 IDs list
ch_18_ids_18th_century_society_and_war.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Chapter 18 - RCQ
ch18_reading_guide_rcqs.docx | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click below for the OLD Kagan PowerPoint slides for Chapter 7
ch_7_kagan_notes.ppt | |
File Size: | 6135 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
CRASH COURSE: THE SEVEN YEARS WAR
Chapter 7 Infographic Project:
Click here for a link to the Piktochart website.
Click below for the directions for the project.
Click here for a link to the Piktochart website.
Click below for the directions for the project.
chapter_7_infographic_project.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Assigned sections for Infographic Project:
1.) The Aristocracy: pp. 238-241
2.) The Land and its Tillers: pp. 241-244
3.) Family Structure and the Family Economy: pp. 244-249
4.) The Revolution in Agriculture: pp. 249-254
5.) The Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century: pp. 254-262
6.) The Growth of Cities and the AGe of the Jewish Ghettos: pp. 263-270
1.) The Aristocracy: pp. 238-241
2.) The Land and its Tillers: pp. 241-244
3.) Family Structure and the Family Economy: pp. 244-249
4.) The Revolution in Agriculture: pp. 249-254
5.) The Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century: pp. 254-262
6.) The Growth of Cities and the AGe of the Jewish Ghettos: pp. 263-270