Download - 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?