Warfare on three continents, empire building and revolution - political, agricultural and industrial - dominate 18th-century world history. In Europe royal dynasties formed, fought major wars that carved up the map of Europe and the Americas, and began the great colonial expansion that dominated the next century. But the 18th century also ushered in the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason which fired the imagination of Europeans, and the Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions, which changed society and work forever. To help students better understand the major developments of the 18th century and their impact on 19th- and 20th-century history, this resource offers analysis of significant 18th century events: Peter the Great’s reform of Russia; the War of the Spanish Succession; the First British Empire; the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War; the Enlightenment; the Agricultural Revolution; the American Revolution; the Industrial Revolution; the slave trade; and the French Revolution. Each of the ten events is dealt with in a separate chapter. Designed for students, this format features an introductory essay that presents the facts, followed by an interpretive essay that places the event in a broader context and promotes student analysis. The introductory essay provides factual material about the event in a concise and chronological manner that makes complex history understandable. The interpretive essay, explores the short-term and far-reaching ramifications of the event. An annotated bibliography identifies recent scholarship about each event and a full-page illustration complements the narrative for each event. Three appendices include: a glossary of names, events and terms; a timeline of important events in 18th-century world history; and a listing of ruling houses and dynasties of 18th-century Europe.
