Politics of the 18th Century

Politics of the 18th Century

Enlightened Absolutism The Enlightenment also had an effect upon the political development of Europe Concept of Natural Rights A corollary to the idea of natural laws were natural rights These included equality before the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech & press, and the right to assemble, hold property, and seek happiness

Call for Enlightened Rulers How could these rights be established and preserved? The Philosophes = called for Enlightened Rulers Strong monarchs have the power to overcome the vested interests of the upper classes & pass reforms Reform came from above as the Philosophes were distrustful of the masses Frederick II The Great Joseph II of Austria Catherine the Great

Other Political Programs France Louis XV (r. 1715-1774) Regency of the Duke of Orleans (1715-23) Cardinal Fleury (1724-43) King appoints his old tutor as chief minister Stabilizes France s economy Quells Jansenists & Parlements Foreign alliances (Britain; Poland) Weak & Ineffective monarch Dominated by ministers & mistresses Marquise de Pompadour Madame du Barry

Other Political Programs Great Britain King & Parliament Robert Walpole First Prime Minister (1721-42) Peaceful foreign policy William Pitt the Elder Seven Year s War (committed to defeating France) George III personal rule; less reliance on Parliament Opposition in Parliament Opposition in the colonies William Pitt the Younger as Prime Minister (1783-1801 & 1804-6) Revolutionary and Napoleonic Ages postponed any major political reform in Britain for another generation

General European Conflict

European Armies and Warfare Dramatic Increases in Size of Armies Most European armies double in size Class Divisions of the Armies Officers: From the landed aristocracy; middle class is shunned Rank and file: Formed from the lower classes of society Use of mercenaries Maneuvers over Confrontation

War of Polish Succession (1732-37) Polish Kings elected by nobility Stalislaw Leszczynski Infante Manuel of Portugal Frederick August of Saxony Promised Anna of Russia control of Courland Promised Charles VI support for Pragmatic Sanction Elected King by a minority & recognized by Austria & Russia France declares war on Austria Spain joins France; England remains neutral War fought in Italy & Rhineland NOT Poland

War of Polish Succession Treaty of Vienna (1738) Frederick Augustus of Saxony recognized as Augustus III of Poland Stanislaw gets Lorraine Becomes French after his death Duke of Lorraine gets Tuscany Parma given to Austria Charles of Parma given Naples & Sicily France & her allies recognize Pragmatic Sanction

War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Vulnerability of Pragmatic Sanction Maria Theresa is a woman Seen as weak and vulnerable by strong states Opens a variety of claims to Hapsburg Empire by minor Hapsburgs across the HRE Prussia & France both question legality of Pragmatic Sanction Spain & Bavaria (strongest counter-claim) Britain and the Netherlands question France & Prussia s motives Invasion of Silesia (1740-2) Frederick II of Prussia wants to consolidate scattered territories Maria Theresa cedes territory to focus on other campaigns

War of Austrian Succession World Involvement West Indies War of Jenkins Ear (1739-48) = Great Britain & Spain battle over the Asiento Contract Swallowed into War of Austrian Succession when Spain joins France in fighting the Austrians King George s War = French/British conflicts in North America India = French/British skirmishes over trading influence

War of Austrian Succession European Theater (1742-22) France, Spain & Bavaria actively engage Austria s army France & Britain fight over Flanders Spain & Austria fight over Italy Second Silesian War (1744-48) Frederick II re-allies with France (senses weakness wants more German territory) Quadruple Alliance = Britain, Austria, Holland & Saxony Stem Prussian expansion

War of Austrian Succession Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Oct. 18, 1748) Territory remains status quo EXCEPT Silesia (gained by Prussia) France voluntarily returns all conquests Louis XV very unpopular in France Enhances France s political influence on Continent Maria Theresa recognized as Empress of Austria Allows her time to regroup & form new alliances

Seven Years War (1756-1763) European Theater Diplomatic Revolution (1756) France Austria & Russia ally against Prussia s growing influence & strength Prussia & Britain ally (strongest navy + most dominant land army) Frederick II Invades Saxony (1756) & Bohemia (1757) Prussia is surrounded by enemies ~ fighting a war on 4 fronts Britain withdraws support Rossbach (1757) = decisive Prussian victory against France Britain rejoins the Continental War Prussia turns to actively engage Austria and regain lost territory

Seven Years War Colonial Campaigns North America = French & Indian War Skirmishes between French & British break out in Ohio in 1754 South America = Spain & Portugal battle for control of resources Africa = Britain & France battle for colonies

Seven Years War

Seven Years War Treaty of Paris (1763) Ends Anglo-French hostilities Territorial Exchanges Spain gives Florida to British; Gets Louisiana Britain controls all N. America east of Mississippi France retains trading posts in India Not allowed any garrisons or fortifications Treaty of Hubertusburg (1763) Ends Austro-Prussian hostilities European borders remain status quo Prussia keeps Silesia

Results of Seven Years War Prussia = gains influence at expense of HRE France = loss of international prestige Loses large colonial holdings Navy almost destroyed Louis XV is bankrupt & unpopular England = becomes largest colonial empire Road to American Revolution Taxation to pay for Seven Years War unpopular in colonies Proclamation of 1763 forbids western settlement Quebec Act (1774) seen as favoring French settlers

Partition of Poland First Partition (1772) Austria, Russia & Prussia take advantage of internal chaos to seize border lands 30% of land; 50% of population taken Second Partition (1790) Russia & Prussia seize land (fear democratic movements) Begins Kosciuszko Uprising Third Partition (1795) Prussia, Austria & Russia decide to solve uprising problem by wiping Independent Poland off the map