HIST 121D Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-2: Nonjuring Schism, Manorialism, Enlightened Absolutism
Document Summary
The church was the main,or only, source of welfare provision and of education. In hierarchical society of late 18th century europe ones status was defined by geography, birth (nobles, clergy, serfdom), occupation, function. Big population burst from 118 million 1700 to 205 million in 1800 to 481 million in 1913. The volume of trade increased dramatically, much of it driven be european overseas expansion and by slavery. The early origins of the european crisis did not lie in the rise of the middle class but in a political struggle between the rulers and the privileged orders. The main thrust of the enlightened absolutism was to enhance the state"s power and wealth. By 1789 a 3 way struggle was developing in european states between reforming, administrative monarchies, conservative or reactionary interests opposed to change,, and radical movements. The expansion in literacy made a radical wing of oppression possible.
