Absolutism, Enlightenment, and Industrial Revolutions
Absolutism
Absolutism: The king embodied all three powers and ruled by divine right monarchy. Gifts: Control policy by imposing duties on the Church for the King to rule over it.
The Enlightenment
Illustrations: 18th-century intellectual movement. Enlightened thinkers and writers were interested in technical and scientific progress. They criticized the society in which they lived, stressed the importance of happiness, and were deists, having a concept of God foreign to Christianity. They defended reason as a tool capable of solving everything. They rejected traditions, considered all citizens equal in rights, and believed that human progress would better society.
- Voltaire wrote the *Treatise on Tolerance*, was the first to spread the ideas of Locke in France, claimed political freedom, and was against religion and intolerance.
- Hobbes and Locke defined society as a contract signed at birth, obtaining rights in exchange for being governed. They demanded a political system that guaranteed private property, security, and happiness.
- Locke was *against* absolute monarchy with indivisible power. (Correction from original).
Economic Theories
Physiocracy
Physiocracy: Advocated by Quesnay and Turgot. Critical of mercantilism, they believed wealth came from the land. The state should not intervene in the economy. They wanted landowners to pay taxes and were against customs unions and rights of way.
Economic Liberalism
Economic Liberalism: The state should not hinder trade but encourage the free market. The state was responsible for the welfare of citizens by providing them with salaries. The pursuit of personal interest enriched the country. Labor served to determine the price of things.
The First Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution: It began in late 18th-century Great Britain. Key changes included the introduction of machines, new energy sources, the concentration of capital, the division of labor, and factory workers. In Great Britain, there was capital to invest in trade, agriculture, and industry. The population increased due to medical advances. Steamboats and trains were invented. The textile industry improved. A stable financial system emerged. Great Britain became the greatest world power. Customs and rights of way disappeared. Fallow was replaced by crop rotation, and fertilizer use increased. British entrepreneurs were willing to risk their capital. The population was literate and governed by a limited monarchy.
The Second Industrial Revolution (1850-1870)
The Second Industrial Revolution: Characterized by capitalism, new energy sources, and new technologies. It incorporated women into the workplace, increased education and administration, and developed the tertiary sector. Except in the UK, the state began to intervene more in the economy. Companies were controlled by executives, engineers, and professionals, optimizing time for maximum advantage.
- Trust and Cartel: Alliances of companies to control the market and divide territory.
Economic Nationalism
Economic Nationalism: A policy pursued by the state, involving aggressive competition with foreign entities to improve the internal market. It is characteristic of fascism.
Consequences of Industrialization
Consequences: Countries became either industrialized or not. The world economy emerged, ensuring that capitalism would be consolidated in Europe. Improvements to rail, boats, bicycles, motorcycles, and cars increased speed, capacity, and safety. New communication systems such as radio and the telephone appeared.