Contextualizing 18th-Century States and the Rise of Global Markets
Dutch East India Company
Formed by the States General, this was a trading company that operated from 1602 to 1799. It played a crucial role in the development of global trade networks and colonial expansion. Itâs primary purpose was trade, particularly obtaining a monopoly on the spice trade in Asia.
East Indies = modern-day Indonesia
Were originally controlled by the Portuguese, then by the Spanish. As Spain and Portugal declined, other European nations established these companies.Â
Grand Alliance
With the help of William I, this was formed to counter France. An alliance of England, the Dutch Republic, and Austria
Acts of Union
 Made to unite England and Scotland, and protected against French attempts to put a Catholic on the English throne. Later led to the creation of a united kingdom to be called âGreat Britainâ on 1 May of that year
George I
As Elizabethâs son, he was King of Great Britain, Ireland, and ruler of the Electorate of Hanover within the Holy Roman Empire.(r. 1714-1727). Via his reign, other European powers declined.
Queen Anne
Maryâs sister, she became queen after William I (1702).
Francis I
Maria Theresaâs cousin and husband, Holy Roman Emperor, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, and Grand Duke of Tuscany who played a significant role in the Habsburg dynasty during the 18th century, influencing European politics and alliances.
Emperor Charles VI
Died in 1740, and his daughter Maria Theresa then became Queen. Frederick II of Prussia invaded the Holy Roman Empire the same year as his death.
French and Indian War
The North American conflict in a larger imperial war between Great Britain and France known as the Seven Yearsâ War. The British won and gained a large portion of North America from France and Spain. (1754-1763). Ended with the Treaty of Paris.
War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)
A conflict that erupted when the legitimacy of Maria Theresa's succession to the Habsburg throne was challenged. This war involved numerous European powers, including Prussia, which invaded Silesia. The war aimed to re-establish balance among European states and assert territorial claims. Major conflicts included battles over Austrian territories with Prussia, France, and Spain, ultimately leading to a more significant struggle for supremacy in Europe.
Maria Theresa
After her father died, she became Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick the Great invaded the province of Silesia the same year she became Queen and challenged her authority, beginning the War of Austrian Succession
Seven Yearsâ War (1756-1763)
Began when Austria tried to regain control of Silesia, which it had lost to Prussia in the War of Austrian Succession. France, Austria, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia were aligned on one side, and they fought Prussia, Hanover, and Great Britain on the other. Ended with Austria diminishing in power and Prussia gaining power.
Estates-General
A legislative and consultative assembly in France that represented the three estates of the realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners
Bourgeois
a class of business owners, merchants and wealthy people. Theyâre still commoners, apart of the third estate.
National Assembly
A body that represented the needs of the French people. It abolished feudalism and fiscal privileges of nobility and clergy, issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Tennis Court Oath
An oath was taken inside the Real Tennis Room at the Palace of Versailles. Members of the Third Estate took an oath never to separate until a written constitution had been established for France.
Great Fear
A period of panic and unrest that took place in France during the early stages of the French Revolution.Throughout the summer of 1789, peasants destroyed and looted the homes of tax collectors and elites
Storming of the Bastille
Preceded the Great Fear, a crowd of Parisians stormed the Bastille to demand the weapons and ammunition stored there
Womenâs March
7,000 women marched to Versailles; they broke into the palace chanting, âBread! Bread!â. This led to Louis XVI making concessions: Distribution of bread and Acceptance of Declaration. Louis and Marie Antoinette had to accompany the women back to Paris to see how citizens lived
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
It was set by France's National Assembly in 1789 and was a human civil rights document from the French Revolution. Called for equality, free speech, and representative government.
Jacobins
Left-wing revolutionaries lead by Maximilen de Robespierre who aimed to end the reign of King Louis XVI and establish a French republic, was the most famous political club during the French Revolution (1789â1799). Made these radical changes: Elimination of Monarchy, De-Christianization of France, Made France the ââRepublic of Franceâ
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
A constitution that made the Catholic church subordinated to the state, 10% tithe paid by peasants eliminated, and bishops and priests elected by assemblies
National Convention
a single-chamber assembly that governed France during the French Revolution from 1792 to 1795 that came about after the National Assembly dissolved.
Constitution of 1791
The First Constitution of France that established France as a constitutional monarchy and limited the powers of the monarchy
Girondins
A political group during the French Revolution. From 1791 to 1793, the Girondins were active in the Legislative Assembly and the National Convention. Aimed for a Constitutional Monarchy.
Reign of Terror
A series of massacres and public executions were done by the Jacobins to anyone who opposed the revolution. ~50,000 people were killed, 16,000 via guillotine. Subsided after
Maximilien Robespierre was arrested by the National Convention and guillotined.
Maximilien Robespierre
radical democrat and key figure in the French Revolution of 1789. Lead the Jacobins and the Reign of Terror.
Directory
Formed by the Girondins, it only lasted four years (it was replaced by Napoleonâs Consulate), but it had executive power and five members. Parliament could appoint these members.
Olympe de Gouges
A Feminist that wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen. She advocated for divorce rights for women and inheritance of parental property for children of unmarried parents. She died during the Reign of Terror because she was a member of the Girondins
Toussant LâOuverture
A Haitian inspired by revolutionary ideas that took command of a slave revolt (1791). He led a successful slave revolt and emancipated the slaves in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (Haiti)
Edmund Burke
Englishman who wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France. He argued that the French Revolution would end disastrously because its abstract foundations, purportedly rational, ignored the complexities of human nature and society.
Louis-Gabriel-Ambroise, Viscount de Bonald
 French counter-revolutionary philosopher and politician. He condemned the Revolution for its violence and disregard for traditional authority, so he resigned in protest against the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and emigrated to Heidelberg
Consulate
Replaced the five-member Directory (1799) with three members. Napoleon was deemed the âfirst consulâ within this government, first consul had the most power, and could appoint most positions in government
Napoleon Bonaparte
Former Emperor of the French, he abolished the Holy Roman Empire, and abolished feudalism as he went throughout Europe. He was also able to conscript men on large scale.
Elba
Napoleon was exiled here in 1814
Scorched-earth policy
a military strategy where an army destroys anything that could help an enemy fight, such as crops, livestock, buildings, and infrastructure. Used by Russia against Napoleonâs army
St. Helena
After Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to here; he died there in 1821
Battle of Waterloo
This Battle ended French attempts to dominate Europe and destroyed Napoleon's imperial power forever. It was faught between Napoleon's French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal BlĂźcher
Romanticism
An artistic, literary, and philosophical movement that originated in Europe in the late 18th century; emphasized human beings are endowed with both reason and emotion, and that emotion is a valuable and informative part of the human experience.Â
Evangelicalism
Protestant Christian movement that emphasizes personal conversion, the authority of the Bible, and spreading the "good news" of salvation. Followers sought to persuade people to voluntarily and sincerely commit to Christianity.
Methodism
a Protestant Christian tradition that originated in 18th-century Britain and is based on the teachings of John Wesley. Emphasized the individualâs relationship with God and personal experience of salvation.
John Wesley
an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism.
Multilateral diplomacy
A diplomatic approach where multiple countries discuss and negotiate collectively on global or regional issues, aiming for cooperation on trade, security, and other concerns
Congress of Vienna
Attempted to restore the balance of power in Europe and contain the danger of revolutionary or nationalistic upheavals in the future. (1814â1815)
Frederick II of Prussia
Also known as Frederick the Great, he ruled from 1740 to 1786 and is known for his military victories, administrative reforms, and patronage of the arts. He expanded Prussia's territory, particularly during the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.