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Height of Atlantic slave trade and expansion of rural industry
1700-1790 Slavery became more than a way to acquire free labor. It became a full industry. It took many different jobs/people to bring in the many thousands of slaves per year. And then these slaves were bought by wealthy land owners, who would pay a handsome price for a good strong slave. -
British and French mercantilist wars of empire
1701-1763 The point of European mercantilism, was to take wealth and resources from a colonial source in order to strengthen the motherland. The British had successful colonies along the American East coast. The French held colonies in what is now Canada (Quebec). Both nations used their respective colonies to further their own wealth. -
Elementary school attendance necessary in Prussia
The policy of making it mandatory for children to attend school, shows the changing in general values. Before this law, children (mainly peasant children) were expected to learn their parent's craft and work along with them to make money for their family. The change in the way children were viewed, and the prioritization of education, shows societal advancement. -
Growth of European population
1720-1789 Before the 18th century, the population of Europe grew a a very slow pace. With a combination of war and disease, the death rate was high, and the birth rate was low. However, one the final outbreak of the bubonic plague had subsided, the death rate began to drop. With people living longer, life became a bit better, and people were willing to have more children. -
Illegitimacy explosion
1750-1850 There was a sharp rise in births "out of wedlock". Young people suddenly developed greater independence. They no longer were forced into economically beneficial marriages. And they had the ability to make their own money, and not have to aid in the support of their families. Because of this, they were able, for the first time, to chose who they wanted to be with without the supervision of their families. -
Seven Years’ War
1756-1763 The colonial competition between France and England, eventually culminated into the a long conflict over territory in North America. The war turned out a British victory, and France lost most of its colonial territory to the British and Spanish. The war was ended by the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was created to end the Seven Years' War between England and France. Ending with and English victory, the French lost a lot of their colonial territory to the British, some land was given to the Spanish as compensation over their loss of Florida to the British. -
Elementary school attendance necessary in Austria
Just like the same previous policy that Prussia made earlier, the prioritizing of the education of children, instead of forcing them to work alongside adults, demonstrates the desire for a change in the way children are treated and what is expected from them. -
French revolution
1789-1799 The French people rebelled in a revolutionary revolution. Tiring of the way that their country was being run by absolute monarchy, the public demanded change, the Bastille was stormed, and in 1793 the king, Louis XVI was beheaded. -
Edward Jenner performs first smallpox vaccination
Medicine was not top of the line at this point in time. It was rudimentary at best, occasionally doing more harm than good. However, when Jenner created a vaccination for smallpox, medicine would be changed for the better. Even though it wasn't revolutionary at first, it was responsible for wiping out smallpox from the planet.
