Background

25 August 2004 (Lecture #01)

Statebuilding and War (~1715)

· European conflict began somewhat global as it spread to the colonies

· Peripheral strategy

o Finance a continental power

o Prevent enemies from using the sea

o Wage peripheral campaigns to force nations to spread thin and lose money

o England grabs colonies while other countries destroy each other

Rising Ambitions in Eastern Europe – economy moves backwards towards the feudal system; peasants kept as serfs

· Peter the Great modernized Russia and conquered much territory – convinces nobles to be more western

· Social structure

o No middle class: nobles and peasants only

o Jews handle the money

· Son: Frederick the Great; uses the army and money to attack Austria

o Seven Years War

§ The controversial female ruler defends on all sides and the war ends with peace

§ Prussia closed in on by all except Britain

§ UK sides with because they hate the French

o Europe unchanged; UK has seized North Africa, Caribbean, India, …

o Completed UK dominance (also stresses itself greatly)

Warfare in the Eighteenth Century

· Armies still not professional – conscripts, crooks, etc

· Generals become conservative as technology improves (more accurate weaponry, professional officers)

o Small advantages sought – supply lines, forts, etc to prevent death of entire armies (i.e. complete loss)

o Only fighting for 4-5mo per year

o Small conflicts devolve into a monetary battle – whoever runs out loses à however, still has an army to bargain with

· Battles cost high casualties – deep ranks of muskets, charging cavalry, heavy artillery

Western Europe and the Great Colonial Rivalry

· Biggest profits for France and Britain came from colonies so they fought over it

· Dutch trade routes challenged and dominated by superior UK Navy

The Twighlight of Monarchies? The Question of Enlightened Absolutism (18^th century)

· Britain and France both decline – Monarchs try to appear “enlightened” to maintain power (tried to appear progressive)

o Britain – parliament continues to gain the upper hand

o France – successors lacked interest and talent

Changes in Country and City Life

· The Agricultural Revolution – huge production increase … Two major developments:

o 1) intro of new crops and farming techniques (New crops replenished the soil)

o 2) transformation of rural land into large farms

· Manufacturing Spreads In The Countryside: Cottage Industry

o Cottage Industry: entrepreneurs invest in raw materials and sometimes equipment for families to work with

o Whole-family operations; appealed b/c it allowed families to stay in rural locations

Holy Roman Empire Collapses

· Collapses into Austria (weak, mixed languages, buffer state); Germany (disjointed – not even called Germans for centuries); Prussia (common heritage)

American Colonization

· Setup over time by various countries

· Supports trade and grows new crops not available in Europe

· Slavery much worse in South America than US