european society in the age of enlightenment

European Society in the European Society in the Age of EnlightenmentAge of EnlightenmentChapter 18: Trade and Empirepp. 525-531

Comfort and PrivacyComfort and PrivacyUpper and Middle Classes of

Europe sought greater privacy◦Separate rooms in their homes ◦Hallways◦Servants housed outside the home◦Separate bedrooms◦Dining

Separate silverware, napkins, dishes, glasses

Why this change?Why this change?Examples of those at the highest

levels of society – Louis XV, Marie Antoinette

A result of the Enlightenment’s emphasis on individualism

The PoorThe PoorDeserving Poor

◦Old, sick, disabled◦Deserved support

Undeserving Poor◦Healthy beggars, vagabonds◦Should be employed – voluntarily or

involuntarily◦How were they managed?

Sent off to overseas colonies workhouses

The Poor continued…The Poor continued…Enlightenment taught the natural

rights of each human person◦Idea that each person had the right

to support of the state – even undeserving poor

◦Attempt to resolve the problem of poverty by government sponsored plans or agencies

Popular Social ProtestPopular Social ProtestThe poor protested high increases

in prices, when harvests failed◦Usually they paid what they could

afford for any food/products that were looted during the rioting

Workers tried to protest to get higher wages◦Destroyed tools for production◦Labor Unions outlawed in France and

England

Gordon RiotsGordon Riots1778: an act of Parliament gave

Catholics the right to own land and serve in the army◦Lord George Gordon protested –

obtained over 60,000 signatures on a petition against the act

◦Parliament refused to receive the petition

◦A riot broke out – catholic schools, churches, homes, pubs were destroyed

◦The Royal Army had to be called in to stop the rioting

The Social OrderThe Social OrderSociety of the 18th century was made

up of orders or estates◦social groupings based on hereditary

principlesOrders

◦Clergy, nobles, commoners◦Defined legally

Each order had specific rights called privileges A hierarchical structure – more privileges for the

higher rankingThis organization is being challenged

during the later 18th century◦Money is now an important determinant of

order

The NationThe NationDuring the mid-18th century

people began to think of themselves as citizens of a particular nation

ReviewReviewHow did European ideas of home life

change during the 18th century?How did people think about the

poor?Who should bear the responsibility

for the poor/the problem of poverty?How was society’s organization

changing during the mid-18th century?