APEURO UNIT 4 18th Century Society and Culture

bubonic plague

dissapears in Europe (for the most part) in the 18th century, leading to lower death rates

Columbian Exchange

brought more food into Europe; in the 18th century, this food could be transported and stored with new technology; this decreases death rates

birth control

increasingly used during the 18th century. slowing birth rates

illegitimate child

a child born to parents who are not married to each other, often increasing in number during the 18th century due to changing social norms.

clover

a crop introduced during the Columbian Exchange that improved soil fertility and supported livestock, contributing to agricultural advancements in 18th century Europe.

Enclosure Acts

laws that consolidated land and increased agricultural efficiency in England, leading to changes in rural life and farming practices during the 18th century.

Nuclear Family

the familial norm that had bee growing since the Middle Ages; moving out of parents’ house required a large sum of money, and therefore people delayed getting married until their mid-late twenties during the 18th century

urbanization

the process by which rural populations migrated to cities, leading to increased population density and changes in social structures during the 18th century.

tenement

a type of building that housed multiple families, often characterized by overcrowding and poor living conditions, common in urban areas during the 18th century.

tuberculosis

a contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, causing symptoms such as cough, fever, and weight loss; it became prevalent in crowded urban areas during the 18th century (such as tenements)

Vagrancy Act

a law enacted in England in 1822 century aimed at regulating and penalizing the homeless and unemployed population, promoting social order and labor conformity.

Consumer Revolution

the period during the 18th century marked by an increase in the consumption of not-necessary goods and a shift towards a consumer-driven economy; middle and upper classes had more disposable income than ever before; resulted in identity based on material possessions and lifestyles.

privacy

became increasingly important with the advent of the Consumer Revolution, as people sought to maintain personal spaces in their homes and distinguish themselves through their consumption patterns.

Boudoir

a private sitting room or bedroom for women, typically used for dressing and relaxation, reflecting personal taste and style in the context of the Consumer Revolution.

leisure activities

became more prevalent during the Consumer Revolution; included sitting at salons/coffeehouses, spectator sports (blood sports), reading

spectator sports

public events where audiences watch athletic competitions, often featuring activities like boxing and horse racing, that emerged as popular forms of entertainment during the 18th century, often consisting of blood sports

Reading Revolution

As literacy continued to spread during the 18th century thanks to new efforts to educate children and the abundance of printed materials made available by the printing press, more and more people began to read

censorship

increased with the Reading Revolution, often by the Church

bourgeois

a social class characterized by their ownership of capital and their role in the economy, often associated with the rise of a middle class during the 18th century; in the 18th century, artwork started to shift to appeal to this group

Rembrandt

a Dutch painter known for his portraits and use of light and shadow, who significantly influenced the development of Baroque art in the 17th century; depicted down-to-earth religious scenes AND everyday scenes

neoclassicism

an artistic movement inspired by the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing simplicity, symmetry, and a focus on idealized forms; emerged during the 18th century

Pantheon

a building by Jacques-Germain Soufflot that exemplified the neoclassical movement in its simplicity

Jacques-Germain Soufflot

a French architect known for designing the Panthéon in Paris, which reflects neoclassical ideals through its grand dome and classical elements, symmetry and simplicity.

Daniel Dafoe

an English writer and journalist best known for his novel "Robinson Crusoe," which is considered one of the first novels in the English language, reflecting themes of individualism and adventure; independence from religion

Goethe

a German writer and statesman known for his influential works in literature, notably "Faust," which explores themes of ambition, desire, and the human condition.

Faust

a dramatic work by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that tells the story of Faust, who makes a pact with the devil in pursuit of unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.