European States in 18th century, The French Revolution Assignment

European States in 18th century, The French Revolution - Assignment Example There was an attempt to rationalize the monarchial system and its laws. In France, there was a dilution of the monarchy, followed by the French Revolution, whose Jacobin program saw the end to church power, and changes in the metric, financial and legal systems, based on rational thought and the ideal of social equality. Enlightened Politics, for the most part, was manifested in ‘Enlightened Despots’ in Europe, whose power rested not on divine right, but on the necessity of orderly government for the welfare of the people. Frederick the Great of Prussia introduced greater religious freedom, spurred economic improvements and codified the legal system. Joseph II of Austria also embarked on state-sponsored improvements and curtailed the powers of the Catholic Church. In the eighteenth century, the Industrial Revolution saw Britain emerge as a global power, with distinctive advantages over the continental states. A major factor was British success in building up large colonies, particularly in the East and West Indies, and North America, which provided goods for trade with continental Europe and also a market for domestic goods. The stability of overseas trade was guaranteed by Britain’s naval power, which prevented war-time disruptions, unlike France. Population growth and urbanization, and rising standards of living led to increased mass consumption and encouraged mass production. In contrast to the ancien regime and feudal structure prevalent in continental Europe, Britain’s prosperous middle class participated in the political and economic system. An emerging democracy and the curtailment of absolute monarchial influence over property promoted economic growth. Britain’s transport network was more advanced than that of the continent. This facilitated the cheap transport of the products of the Industrial Revolution. Britain’s Agricultural Revolution converted small family land holdings, or