The 1700's

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01. Disclaimer

02. Trigger Warnings

03. Introductory

04. Major Events

05. Fashion

06. Major Illnesses

07. Remedies

08. Inventions

09. Sources

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Disclaimer

I am not a historian or a geographer.

All information is found online and

compiled into one post. If any

information is incorrect, please say

so in the comment section below.

This post was created for educational

purposes only and should not be used

in a grotesque manner. Please keep

the comments respectful. Thank you.

I hope you find this post informative.

Trigger Warnings

This post discusses mentions of war,

revolution, blood, substances, and

more. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Introductory

Hi, I’m Taurus, here with a post for

the #takeover. For this week’s

takeover, we will be talking about

centuries such as the 17th to the

21st century. Today, I will be talking

about the 18th century (1700’s).

Let’s get started.

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i. War of Spanish Succession

(1701 - 1714)

In 1700, King Charles II of Spain

died without an heir and named

Philip, the grandson of French

King Louis XIV, as his successor.

This alarmed other European

powers who formed the Grand

Alliance to prevent from

becoming too powerful. After

more than a decade of warfare,

the Treaties of Utrecht, Rastatt,

and Baden in 1713 and 1714

were signed. These treaties

achieved the main goal of the

Alliance: Philip was recognized as

King of Spain, but he had to agree

to keep and Spain separate,

ensuring a balance of power in

Europe. Additionally, some

territorial changes occurred,

strengthening Britain in particular.

ii. Mass Expansion In China

(1735 - 1799)

During this time, the Qing Dynasty,

led by Emperor Qianlong, reached

its zenith. China expanded its territory

through military conquests and

diplomacy, extending its rule into

Central Asia and Tibet. The empire

experienced a flourishing economy,

with increased trade along the Silk

Road and a thriving arts and culture

scene. However, towards the end of

this period, the Qing Dynasty began

to face internal challenges, such as

corruption and social unrest, which

would later contribute to its decline

in the 19th century.

iii. British Industrial Revolution

(1760 - 1840)

The British Industrial Revolution,

which unfolded from the late 18th

century into the early 19th century,

was a pivotal historical period

characterized by a profound shift

from agrarian and handcraft-based

economies to industrialized and

mechanized production methods.

This era was propelled by a series of

remarkable technological innovations

and inventions, including James Watt's

steam engine, the spinning jenny,

water frame, and power loom, which

transformed manufacturing and

transportation. The cotton textile

industry played a central role in these

advancements, with the establishment

of factories and mills that mechanized

spinning and weaving processes, greatly

enhancing productivity. The emergence

of factories also marked a transition

from cottage industries to centralized

production centers, introducing a more

efficient division of labor.

iv. The American Revolution

(1765 - 1791)

This began with protests against

British taxation policies, such as

the Stamp Act and the Tea Act,

which led to events like the

Boston Tea Party in 1773. The

conflict escalated into armed

confrontations, most notably with

the Battles of Lexington and

Concord in 1775. The Second

Continental Congress convened,

and in 1776, they declared

independence through the

issuance of the Declaration of

Independence, authored by

Thomas Jefferson. The

Revolutionary War ensued, with

significant battles like Saratoga

and Yorktown, where American

forces, aided by French ,

secured victory in 1781. The Treaty

of Paris in 1783 formally recognized

American independence. Post-

independence, the Articles of

Confederation were established as

the first national framework, but

their weaknesses led to the

Constitutional Convention of 1787,

which resulted in the U.S.

Constitution's ratification in 1788.

The Bill of Rights was added in 1791,

completing the foundational

documents of the United States.

v. King George's War

(1744 - 1748)

King George's War, was a conflict

primarily between Britain and ,

with their respective American Indian

allies involved in North America. This

war was part of a larger series of

conflicts known as the War of the

Austrian Succession in Europe. In

North America, the war was

characterized by skirmishes and

raids along the frontier regions of

New England, New York, and Acadia

(now Nova Scotia). One of the most

notable events was the capture of

Louisbourg by British forces in 1745.

However, the war ended inconclusively

with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in

1748, which returned Louisbourg to

. Despite its limited territorial

gains, King George's War set the

stage for future conflicts, as tensions

between Britain and persisted in

the struggle for dominance in North

America, ultimately leading to the more

significant conflict of the French and

Indian War in the 1750s and 1760s.

vi. French Revolution

(1789 - 1799)

The French Revolution stands as a

momentous chapter in history. It

commenced as a response to

economic hardship, social

inequality, and political discontent

in . The convening of the

Estates-General in 1789 led to the

formation of the National Assembly

by the Third Estate, pledging to

craft a new constitution. The

storming of the Bastille in July

1789 marked a pivotal turning

point, symbolizing resistance to

royal authority. Subsequently, the

revolution underwent various phases,

including the Reign of Terror in 1793,

where King Louis XVI was executed,

and radical Jacobins, led by Maximilien

Robespierre, wielded power through

authoritarian rule. In 1799, Napoleon

Bonaparte's coup d'état brought an

end to the Revolution, eventually

establishing his own rule as Emperor.

The French Revolution left a profound

legacy by promoting principles of

liberty, equality, and fraternity,

influencing global revolutionary

movements and the dissemination of

democratic ideals, though it also

carried a legacy of violence and

political upheaval during its more

radical stages.

vii. War of Austrian Succession

(1740 - 1748)

The War of Austrian Succession

was a conflict triggered by the

disputed succession to the

Habsburg monarchy. It began when

Maria Theresa of Austria ascended

to the throne, facing opposition

from various European powers,

including Prussia, , Spain,

and Bavaria, who refused to

recognize her as the legitimate ruler.

The war featured several theaters of

conflict across Europe, with battles

fought in places like Bohemia,

Silesia, Italy, and North America

(known as King George's War).

The war concluded with the Treaty

of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, which

reaffirmed Maria Theresa's rule over

the Habsburg lands but did not fully

resolve the underlying territorial and

power struggles. The unresolved

tensions and territorial disputes

would contribute to the outbreak

of the Seven Years' War in the 1750s.

viii. The Seven Years’ War

(1756 - 1763)

The Seven Years' War was a global

conflict involving major powers such

as Britain, , Spain, Austria,

and Prussia, with theaters of war in

Europe, North America (the French

and Indian War), and various colonial

regions. It was a contest for territorial

dominance and power, with shifting

alliances in Europe. The war's impact

was profound: the Treaty of Paris in

1763 solidified Britain's colonial

supremacy, gaining Canada, Florida,

and territories in India and the

Caribbean, while ceded

Louisiana to Spain. In North America,

the conflict set the stage for the

American Revolution, shaping the

course of history and future tensions

in colonial territories worldwide.

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In the 1700s, men typically wore

three-piece suits made of silk or

wool, consisting of a coat (known

as a justaucorps), a waistcoat, and

breeches. These suits evolved in

of style and fit over the

century. Women, on the other

hand, wore gowns made of silk or

cotton, which were often open at

the front but sometimes closed,

along with a matching petticoat.

The designs on silk fabrics,

especially for women's clothing,

changed frequently, featuring

floral and foliate patterns. At the

turn of the century, the fashionable

male and female silhouettes from

the late 1600s persisted. However,

in the early 1700s, the hoop-petticoat,

or panier, was introduced in

England, defining women's dress by

creating an expansive shape. Its

adoption drew both initial criticism

and continued debate across

different social classes.

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"Worldwide eruptions of smallpox

threatened lives, although other

epidemics such as cholera, yellow

fever, plague, and influenza played

havoc as well. Boston was in the

crosshairs of smallpox on several

occasions, but also became a place

that helped leading the way out of

the darkness." - NIH

Smallpox

An eradicated virus (1980) that

used to be contagious, disfiguring,

and often deadly; caused by the

variola virus.

Cholera

bacterial disease causing severe

bacteria and dehydration, usually

spread in water.

Yellow Fever

A viral infection spread by a

particular species of mosquito.

Plague

A serious illness caused by a germ

called Yersinia pestis; spread by a

flea bite.

Influenza

A contagious respiratory illness

caused by influenza viruses that

affect the nose, throat, and lungs.

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Bloodletting

In the 18th century, bloodletting

was a common medical practice

that involved the deliberate

removal of blood from a patient's

body. It was believed to balance

the body's humors and treat a

wide range of ailments, from

fever and headaches to more

serious conditions. Bloodletting

was performed using various

methods, including leeches,

lancets, and scarification (making

small cuts on the skin). The

quantity of blood removed was

often determined by the patient's

age, condition, and the prevailing

medical theories of the time. While

bloodletting was widely practiced

in the 18th century, it later fell out

of favor as medical knowledge

advanced and its effectiveness

was questioned.

Emetics

In the 18th century, emetics were

commonly used in medical practice

as a treatment method. Emetics

were substances that induced

vomiting and were believed to help

the body expel harmful substances.

They were often istered to

patients who had ingested toxins,

poisons, or believed to be suffering

from various illnesses. Common

substances used as emetics included

ipecacuanha and tartar emetic. The

practice was based on the prevailing

medical theories of the time, which

emphasized purging the body of

impurities. However, the use of

emetics in the 18th century was not

always effective and could be harmful

if misused or overused. Over time,

as medical knowledge evolved, the

use of emetics became less common,

and their efficacy and safety were

questioned.

Cinchona Bark

cinchona bark gained prominence

for its medicinal use, particularly

in the treatment of malaria. The

bark, derived from the cinchona

tree native to South America, was

known for its ability to alleviate the

symptoms of the disease,

including fever and chills. The key

component responsible for its

efficacy was quinine, which was

extracted from the bark and used to

combat malaria. The use of

cinchona bark and quinine marked

a significant breakthrough in the

treatment of the disease, saving

countless lives and earning it the

nickname "Jesuit's bark" or

"Peruvian bark." Its effectiveness

in treating malaria made it highly

valuable and in demand throughout

the 18th century, contributing to the

expansion of European colonial

interests in South America as they

sought to secure sources of this

valuable remedy.

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The Piano

Bartolemeo Cristofori - 1709

Tuning Fork

John Shore - 1711

Diving Bell

Edmond Halley - 1717

Fire Extinguisher

French C. Hopffer - 1722

Mercury Thermometer

Gabriel Fahrenheit - 1724

Flying Shuttle

John Kay - 1733

Lightning Rod

Benjamin Franklin - 1752

English Language Dictionary

Samuel Johnson - 1755

Sextant

John Campbell - 1757

Navigational Clock

John Harrison - 1761

Spinning Jenny

James Hargreaves - 1764

Soda Water

Joseph Priestley - 1767

Spinning Frame

Richard Arkwright - 1768

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