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The Enclosure action speeds up
The Enclosure is a movement that creates larger fields, instead of the small strips. Having larger fields meant that farmers spent less time work the land and could work it more prorfitably. The process of this speed up in the 1700s. -
Period: to
American, French, and Inustrial Revolution and Napoleonic Era
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Jethro Tull invents the Seed Drill
He invented the seed drill, which could be pulled by horses. The seed drill planted seeds neatly in rows and was faster and much less wasteful than the old method of broadcasting seed. Many more seeds sprouted, instead of being eaten by birds and other animals. Also, planting in rows made weeding and other crop maintenances easier. -
Newcomen invented the steam engine
Thomas Newcomen invented a machine that harnessed the power of compressed steam. This machine/engine used steam to pump water out of mines. However, this machine did not work very wel, and it was only the first step insolving the growing power needs of industry. -
Kay invents the Flying Shuttle
This was the first important invention in the textile industry. This device made weaving much faster, and allowed large looms to be operated by only one person. On a small loom, the weaver could throw the shuttle from one hand to the other across the threads, but on a large loom two people were needed. Kay's machine used springs and levers to pull the shuttle back after it had crossed the threads. This made weaving on a large loom much faster, but put 50% of workers out of a job. -
Darby invents the Cast Iron Process
Cast iron is molten iron that is poured into a mould to make a certain product. Soon cast-iron products were available everywhere, because they were much easier and cheaper to produce than other metal products. Larger and larger cast-iron factories were built and England became the world's leading producer of cast-iron. Iron and Coal were close, so Darby used coke, which is a form of coal that has been heated to burn off the sulphur, in hopes of making better iron. -
Start of Seven Years War
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The First Canal is Built
Canals are narrow, artificial channels that were built to lonk rivers together. The canals carried raw materials and goods to the big industrial cities, reducing the cost of shipping. The first canal, finished in 1760, was only a few kilometers lon, but soon England was criss-crossed with them. By the nineteenth century over 4000 kilometers of canals had been built. Improvements in transportation made it possible to ship raw materials and manufactured goods relatively quickly and cheaply. -
End of Seven Years War
France was left with huge debt, that almost led the country to bankrupcy. -
Hargreaves invents the Spinning Jenny
James Hargreaves built the Spinning Jenny, which he named for his wife. The Spinning Jennny was an ingenious device driven by a hand-cranked wheel, which allowed a spinner to spin off a number of threads at the same time. This meant that one spinner could now do the work of several spinners. The Spinning Jenny was an important improvement for the spinning part of the textile industry. The need for spun yarn was so great that Spinning Jennies were soon being used all over England. -
Arkwright invents the Water Frame
This machine was an improvement of the strength of yarn being spun and was even faster than the Jenny. Later, Sam Compton built the "mule" a a machine, combined the best features of the Water Frame and the Spinning Jenny. -
Watt Improves the Steam Engine
The real breakthrough in steam technology came from James Watt, his machine was much more practical and efficient, producing power with very little waste. It was first used to pump water out of mines, but he then adapted it so it could drive machines. In doing this, he had solved the problem of powering the factory age. -
Boston Tea Party
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Inolerable Acts
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Crowning of Louis XVI
He was crowned at Reims, France as a teenager -
Start of American War for Independence
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Declaration of Independence
This document was established, saying that the 13 American Colonies at the time were independent. -
France joins the Americans in war against the British
In joining the Americans, they bring them support, weapons, supplies, money, and troops. Unfortunately, this worsened their debt situation even further. -
Battle of Yorktown
An invasion of American forces led by George Washington, that caused British General Cornwallis to surrender the rest of his troops. This is the battle that officially ended the war. -
Treaty of Paris ends the American War
The success of the American colonists and rebels against the strongest European power increases the ambitions of those wishing for change in France. -
Steam Powered Mills in the Textile Industry
The textile industry needed the steam engine to power their factories and keep their machines running, which were needed to meet the very high demands of the people for clothing and other fabrics. -
Calling of the Estates General
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Meeting of the Estates General
Met in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. On May 5, 1789 the meeting actually started with a speech from the King. -
National Assembly
There was disagreement amongst the three estates over voting methods in the Estates General. Whatever the Thrid estate wanted, the First and Second estates were against it. The vote were counted as one vote per estate. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate was locked out of its meeting room by Louis XVI. Confused and angry, the delegates met at an indoor tennis court in the palace of Versailles and signed an oath not to disband until they had drawn up a new, fair constitution for France. -
Storming the Bastille
Paris erupted on July 14, 1789. The Paris mob was determined to arm itself due to presence of foreign troops in the streets of Paris. The people first attacked the Invalides fortress from which they obtained 30,000 muskets. They moved on to the Bastille, an old fortress prison which had been seen as a symbol of the king's absolute authority. The mob attacked the Bastille and released the seven prisoners inside. Louis XVI called the popular Jacques Necker for support in saving the fortress. -
The Great Fear
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Feudalism Abolished
Violence in the cuntryside, caused by angry serfs and peasants, lead to the the immediate renouncing of the feudal system. This guaranted the freedom for the serfs, but the loss of labour for the nobles. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man stated the philosophies of the Enlightened thinkers, the English Bill of Rights, and the American Declaration of Independence. It assured the political and social equality of all men, the sovereignty of the people, and the natural right to liberty, property, security, and resistance to opposition. -
March of Versailles
The rumors of Louis XVI's offensive against the people spreads throughout the streets of Paris, it was rumored that Louis XVI stepped on the flag of France. Women lead a march to Versailles to demand bread and other foods. The mob forced the royal family to return to Paris with them. Louis XVI signs the Declaration of the Rights of Man, while being under house arrest in Paris. -
The Royal Family Flees
Violence in Paris in the spring of 1791 convinced Marie Antoinette that the family must flee. With the help of a loyal friend, Count Axel von Fersen, an escape was organized. When they reached Varennes, they were recognized and National Guardsmen escorted them back to Paris through angry crowds. -
France goes to War with Austria
On April 21, 1792, the French government declared war on Austria. As Prussia was allied with Austria, France found itself fighting a war against both countries. -
Paris Mob attacks the Tuilieres
The people of France were hungry, distrustful of the government, and discouraged by failures in war. On August 10, 1792 they turned against their king. The mob stormed the Tuileries where the royal family was being held. They demanded a new constitution and a convention to replace the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly is dissolved and is replaced by the National Convention. -
Execution of Robespierre
Robespierre was arrested on July 27 and executed the next day. In month of Thermidor in the new French calendar, Robespierre was deserted by his supporters, accused of being a tyrant. Robespierre wanted to extend his own emergency powers, but others felt that the emergencies were over and wanted to return to regular administration. -
Napoleon's Coup d'etat
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Napoleon was elected first consul
He was originally supposed to stay in this position for only 10 years. -
Napoleon appoints himself first consul for life
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Introduction of the Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was the set of rules ordered by Napoleon. The most significant reforms of the Napoleonic Code were in economics and society. The code was based on equality, meaning of privileges due birth and status, the freedom of religion and encouraged jobs to go to the most qualified were abolished. In order to do this, he issued state-run schools to be built. -
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France
At the coronation, the pope was about to plae the crown on Napoleon's head, but Napoleon instead took it from the pope and crowned himself. Thus, claiming ultimate power for himself. -
Austria and Britain formed the Third Coalition
This alliance was created to challenge the ever-increasing French dominance across Europe. -
Battle of Trafalgar
A significant defeat suffered by Napoleon. England was able to destroy the invading Spanish and French ships. This battle confirmed England's dominance over the seas. -
Treaty of Pressburg
Austria withdrew with the Third Coalition, paid indemnities to France. Austria also gave land to German allies as well as Venice to Italy. -
The Berlin Decrees
Issued by Napoleon, forbiding the import/exports of British goods with any of France's allies. This done in an effort to ruin Britain's economy and commerce. The Berlin Decrees initiated the Continental System. -
Treaty of Tilsit
An agreement signed by Russia, Prussia and France. Notably Russia agreed to join the Continental System in exchange for help conquering the Ottoman Empire. -
The Peninsular War
This war was a major conflict in the Napoleonic Era. It was fought on the Iberian Peninsula by the Spanish-British alliance against the French. The Peninsular war was caused by the French invading Portugal and later Spain, trying to enforced the Continental System. In August the English and the Spanish working together were able to drive out the French out of Portugal. -
The formation of the Fifth Coalition
The combined forces of Austria and Britain challenged Napoleon once again in 1809. -
Invasion of Russia by France
After Russia withdrew from the Continental Systeml, Napoleon prepared to invade Russia in an effort to subdue their powers and eliminate the country as a potential threat. They underestimated the Russians, who used the Scorched Earth Policy. They evacuated and burned the land/buildings in an effort to leave little or nothing of use to the French army. -
Napoleon's Army occupies Moscow
At this time most of the Russian citizens had fled for cover in the countryside. Also, the city was set on fire by the remaining inhabitants, employing the Scorched Earth Policy. There was little left for French army in terms of provisions so they suffered from disease and great casualties. -
Formation of the Sixth Coalition
Comprising of Britain, Austria, Russia, Sweden and German states. They saw the weakened state of the French army due to the failed Russian invasion and took this as their best chance to defeat France once and for all. -
Battle of Leipzig
The combined forces of the Sixth Coalition came together to defeat Napoleon and the French army. Due to the diminished forces of the French, Napoleon was hopelessly outnumbered by the alliance of the nations and was consequently and quickly defeated. -
Napoleon escapes his exile
Napoleon escaped Elba because his captors weren't very attentive and he was simply able to sail back to France on a British trading vessel. -
Napoleon returns to France
While in France after returning from his exile, he convinced the guards ordered to capture him to join him in his efforts. King Louis XVIII, hearing of Napoleon's return flees, leaving the state for Napoleon's taking. -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon who had returned to France, was trying to re-establish his dominance over Europe and in doing so he invaded Belgium. At the Battle of Waterloo, the British led by Wellington defeated Napoleon and his army and Napoleon was taken into custody once again and exiled to St. Helena. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
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Carlsbad Decrees
The Carlsbad were laws that established censorship and restricted freedom of speech. Laws were passed in the effort to suppress the ever-growing liberalism and nationalism in the German states due to the reign of Napoleon. -
Napoleon dies
Napoleon died after a six year exile in St Helena due to stomach cancer.