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France Opens Charity Schools
The schools tought the catechism, prayer as well as reading and writing. This demonstrates the increased importance of education in Europe. -
Prussia makes Elementary School Attendance Mandatory
This demonstrates the growing focus oneducation in European society. -
The Discovery of SMallpox Inoculation
Lady Montagu, the wife of the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, discovered that the Ottomans purposely infected their own people with a weakened form of smallpox to make them immune. She spread the practice to England, but it was condemed because 2% of people died from their innoculation. -
John Wesely Starts to Spread Methodism
Many people felt that religion had grown stagnate by this time period. The Anglican Church was little more than a government protectorate wile many Protestant churches had dull sermons that were nearly mechanic. Wesely traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to spread the word of God. He believed that religion should be an emotional experiance and often held his sermons in open fields. THis is significant because he was one of the main people to revive religion during the 1700s. -
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The Illegitimacy Explosion
Births out of wedlock increased dramatically during this period. For example, about 36% of the babies born in Bordeaux, France during this timeperiod were born out of wedlock. zThis is representative of the new freedom given to young people due to the cottage industry. -
Manuel on the Art of Childbirth
Madame du Coudray published the manuel as a reference for midwives. The French government authorized Coudray to carry out the teachings in the book throughout the nation. As a result, Coudray educated thousands of midwives and was responsible for a drastic decline in infant mortality. -
Mass Innoculations in England
Only the well-to-do and royalty were innoculated. However, this served to decrease death rates from smallpox. -
Emile
Rousseau published Emile in 1762. The book argued that parents should show love and tenderness to children and that innovative teaching techniques were needed. This is significant because it demonstrates that there was backlash to parental neglect. -
One-Third of All Babies Born in Paris are Left at Foundling Homes
This demonstrates the decline of family ties and the fact that many poor parents could not afford more children. -
The Jesuits are Dissolved
The Jesuits had strong political influence in Europe, so they made many enemies. France and Spain both pressured the pope to dissolve the order. This demonstrates that European governments were involved with the religious revival of the time period. -
Austria Attempts to Prevent "Overlaying"
Austrian authorities prevented parents to take children under the age of five into bed with them. This demonstrates the widespread nature of infanticide during this time period. -
William Tuke Founds a Humane Sanatorium
Before this date, people held at sanatoriums were treated as prisoners and many of the mentally ill were chained to walls. The founding of the humane sanatorium demonstrates an advance in medical practices. -
William Jenner Tests a New Smallpox Vaccine
He infected a small boy with cowpox, a disease similar to smallpox that was less lethal. The boy survived and became immune to smallpox. He published his findings in 1798 and his treatement spread rapidly. As a result, smallpox disappeared almost completely in Europe.