English Society 1700s Flashcards
Who succeeded after the death of Queen Anne?
George I
Where was England on the world stage in 1485?
- Poorer than Belgium
- Smaller army than Denmark
The English Empire begins with the colonization of _________
Ireland
What was the Hanoverian Stability?
The period of relative stability during Hanoverian rule from 1714-1902
Who was Britain’s first ever Prime Minister?
Sir Robert Walpole
To which political faction did Walpole belong to in Parliament?
Whigs
What did George I do to parliament as soon as he rose to the throne?
- He purged parliament of leading Tories
- Gave important cabinet positions to Whigs
Why did George I want Whigs in power in parliament?
- Because Whigs were anti-French, and wanted to intervene in European affairs
- Unlike the passive Tories, who preferred the Bluewater strategy, avoiding conflict on the continent.
Who was Britain’s longest serving Prime Minister?
Sir Robert Walpole
What was the Septennial Act 1716?
- Enacted by the Whigs
- Said that parliament had to have new elections every 7 years (instead of the previous 3)
- This made elections much more expensive
What was the population of England and Wales in 1715?
5.6 Million
What is the life expectancy in the 1680s compared to the 1750s?
1680–> 30 years
1750 –> 42 years
By what year is the population of London equal to that of Paris?
1700
What percentage of people lived in rural and urban areas in 1700?
80% lived in rural areas
20% lived in urban areas
What percentage did the nobility make up of the population of England?
Less than 1%
True or False: England is still the easiest European nation to make your way into the aristocracy, of in 1700
TRUE
What was Strict Settlement?
- Kept large estates intact over generations, prevented owner from selling lands
- Why is this done? → Because one of the aspects of the aristocracy is to not show a reaction when wealth is lost. So, it was a symbol of power to gamble a family estate, for example.
- This was such a problem that they had to make selling property like this illegal for aristocrats
What are England’s 2 main trade commodities by 1700?
Wool and Sugar
True or False: By 1700, England is still agricultural
TRUE
What luxury goods did England receive from Triangular Trade?
Wine, figs, raisins, oranges, olive oil, sugar, tobacco, furs, coffee, tea
What were the Navigation Acts 1651
- Any trade to the English colony had to be done through English ships, crews, and ports
- Created a monopoly for English merchants
- This protected English trade
Who invented the Penny Post in London? When?
William Dockwra, 1680
Why is the Penny Post important?
- Allowed people to send mail weighing anything up to 1 lb to be sent for 1 penny
- Revolution in communication
- In London, there are 4-5 Post Office delivery runs per day
When is the Penny Post taken over by government?
1683
What was the name for the highly ornate period of European art, architecture and style from 1660-1760?
Baroque era
What are 2 great examples of Baroque architecture in England?
Blenheim Palace
Saint Paul’s Cathedral
Who rebuilt St. Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire?
Sir. Christopher Wren
Who was a famous musician of the Baroque era?
Handel
