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The War of the Spanish Succession changed Europe’s political and economic balance. France and Spain spent huge amounts of money fighting, which weakened them financially but helped grow their militaries and governments. Britain became a stronger trading nation, gaining the Asiento, which allowed it to sell enslaved Africans to Spanish colonies. This showed a major shift in Europe’s economy from land-based wealth to overseas trade and global capitalism. -
In 1701, Jethro Tull created the seed drill which planted seeds in straight rows instead of scattering them by hand. This made farming faster and more efficient, helping crops grow better and reducing waste. It was a big economic and technological change, starting the early Agricultural Revolution. Still, many farmers kept using old methods for years, showing some continuity in traditional farming. Over time, the seed drill helped modernize agriculture and supported population growth in Europe. -
Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine was an early step toward the Industrial Revolution. It was first used to remove water from mines, but it showed how machines could replace human or animal labor. This invention helped Europe rely more on coal and machinery rather than physical work. It marked a turning point toward a more industrial and efficient economy. -
The South Sea Bubble showed both the promise and danger of early capitalism in Britain. Many people invested in the South Sea Company and lost huge sums when the stock prices collapsed. This event revealed how financial markets could cause both growth and instability. It also reflected Europe’s growing dependence on credit, investment, and global trade. -
In the mid-18th century, farming in England and Western Europe became much more productive. New methods like crop rotation, enclosure, and selective breeding increased food supply and efficiency. However, many small farmers were forced off their land, showing both progress and hardship. This shift helped create the workforce that later fueled industrialization in growing cities. -
The Seven Years’ War was a global conflict that shaped the balance of power in Europe and beyond. Britain gained new colonies and expanded its control over global trade routes. This marked a major economic change, as Britain became the world’s leading imperial power. Yet it also continued Europe’s long pattern of competition for territory and wealth through war. -
In 1764, James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny, which let one worker spin several threads at once, making cloth production faster and cheaper. This boosted the textile industry and marked a key economic change and step towards the Industrial Revolution. Some weavers feared job loss, showing ongoing, continuing tension over new technology, as production shifted from homes to factories. -
Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations introduced the main ideas of modern capitalism. He argued that economies work best when people pursue their own interests with minimal government control. This was a major shift away from mercantilism toward free trade and competition. However, European nations still struggled to balance government power and economic freedom, showing continuity with older systems. -
In 1779, Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule, which combined parts of the spinning jenny and the water frame. It made thread that was stronger and finer, helping factories produce better cloth more quickly. This was a major technological economical change, pushing Europe further into industrial manufacturing instead of home spinning. But there was also continuity, since rich factory owners gained most of the profits while workers still faced hard, low-paid labor. -
The French Revolution transformed France’s social and economic structure. Peasants demanded freedom from feudal duties, and the middle class sought economic liberty and fairer taxes. Traditional privileges and hierarchies were attacked, leading to major political and economic reform. Yet, the struggle between rich and poor continued, showing that inequality survived even after revolution.