The 18th Century: Enlightenment, Politics, and Revolution
The 18th Century: A Period of Transition
1) The 18th century was a period of transition between the early modern age and the modern age in Europe. During this period, important changes took place leading to the collapse of the ancient regime and marked the end of the early modern age. One of the main developments in this century was an intellectual movement called the Enlightenment. This movement used reason, science, and education to combat ignorance and reform society.
- Absolute monarchs introduced social reforms to improve their subjects’ lives.
- New forms of industry and commerce contributed to significant economic expansion.
- The three traditional estates of the realm continued to exist, but the bourgeoisie became more important.
- Artistic styles reflected the reforms implemented by monarchs and the tastes of the upper classes.
Key Terms:
- Intellectual: Relating to ideas.
- Improve: Make something better.
- Subject: Someone who owes loyalty to a monarch.
- Allow: Permit someone to do something.
- Wealthy: Prosperous.
- Gain: Acquire.
- Taste: Liking for something.
- Sponsor: Support someone by giving them money.
The Enlightenment: Principles and Spread
2) The Enlightenment was an important intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the 18th century. Enlightenment thinkers criticized the traditional structures of the ancien regime and suggested new ideas to change society. The main principles were:
- Reason is the only source of knowledge.
- Learning and teaching are essential.
- Equality and liberty are the key elements of society.
Enlightenment ideas were spread through newspapers, periodicals, and books, and through schools and special academies. Thinkers organized meetings in the salons of their homes to discuss ideas. Some intellectuals created the Encyclopedia, which summarized knowledge from many areas of study, including science, philosophy, art, and grammar.
Key Terms:
- Criticize: Talk about the bad qualities of something.
- Promote: Support.
- Source: Origin of something.
- Dogma: Set of beliefs.
- Enjoy: Have the use or benefit of something.
- Summarize: Give a short description.
Political and Social Impact of Enlightenment Ideas
3) In relation to politics, Enlightenment thinkers proposed measures to limit the powers of absolute monarchs.
- Montesquieu: Argued for the separation of powers.
- Voltaire: Favored a strong monarchy.
- Rousseau: Introduced the idea of popular sovereignty.
Physiocrats argued that agriculture was the true source of wealth and rejected mercantilism. Enlightenment thinkers criticized the social inequalities of the estate system. In Spain, ideas were spread by politicians that included Jovellanos and Conde de Floridablanca, who wanted to use Enlightenment ideas to improve economic, social, and cultural conditions in Spain. This was necessary because Spain had declined.
Key Terms:
- Popular Sovereignty: Political system in which citizens have ultimate power.
- Social Inequality: Difference between people’s rights and status within a society.
- Decline: Lose power.
- Publish: Print and sell written materials.
- Sociedad Económicas de Amigos del País: Spanish association that promoted the development of agriculture, trade, and industry.
Enlightened Despotism: A New Form of Government
4) Enlightened despotism was a new form of government that developed in some European countries in the 18th century. Its objective was to modernize the country and improve subjects’ quality of life by combining absolute monarchy with Enlightenment ideas. In the end, enlightened despotism did not succeed as a form of government.
Key Terms:
- Despotism: Exercise of absolute power by one person.
- Centralized Government: National government with power to make decisions for the whole country.
- Policy: Set of measures taken by a government.
- Appoint: Choose someone for a job.
- Avoid: Prevent something from happening.
- Succeed: Have the desired result.
- Guarantee: Ensure something.
The American War of Independence
5) During the American War of Independence, British colonies fought for their independence from Great Britain. The main causes of the conflict were:
- Ideological: The Enlightenment ideas of equality and liberty formed the basis for the independence movement.
- Political: Great Britain refused to give the colonies representation in parliament.
- Socio-economic: Prosperous middle-class colonists wanted control over their own commercial activities.
The conflict started when the British government increased taxes. American colonists refused to pay them and then began to arm themselves. Great Britain responded by ordering their armed forces into action, and the war broke out in 1775. The colonists proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on 4 July.