Restoration Period and the 18 th Century 1660

Restoration Period and the 18 th Century (1660 -1798)

Monarchy § Charles II—marked beginning of Restoration Period § Exiled to Europe—invited back after Oliver Cromwell’s death § Set the tone of upper-class social & political life § Tried to emulate the sophistication & splendor of Louis XIV’s court in France § Reestablished Church of England § Parliament—shared power with Monarchy

Disasters § Great Plague— 1665 § Last major outbreak of bubonic plague § Killed an estimated 100, 000 people (20% of London’s population) § Great Fire of London— 1666 § Uncontrolled fire that lasted for 3 days in central London § Destroyed over 13, 000 homes and numerous government buildings § Few deaths recorded

Political Parties § Tories § Supported royal authority § Did not want war with France § Whigs § Wanted to limit royal authority with wealthy merchants and nobles § Wanted to limit French expansion in Europe and North America

Other Royalty § House of Stuart § English Bill of Rights—put specific limits on royal authority § William § Tried to oppose Louis XIV with Whig support § Began series of war with France § Act of Settlement—Parliament law that permanently barred Catholics from throne § Anne—last monarch in House of Stuart § Faithfully ruler who united Scotland & England

Other Royalty (continued) § House of Hanover (Germany) § Disliked by Tories § George II instituted 1 st official prime minister § Seven Years’ War with France § Britain acquired Canada § George III wanted more control § Angered many due to thirst for power § Lost American colonies due to political blunders

The Age of Reason & Enlightenment § People began to use scientific reasoning to understand the world § Apply reason so people could understand the natural causes of events § Scientific Method § Developed by Sir Isaac Newton § Still used today § Analyze facts § Develop a hypothesis § Test the hypothesis with experimentation

Enlightenment Philosophies § Inspired by Newton’s discoveries § John Locke § Encouraged people to use their intelligence to rid themselves of unjust authorities § Rejected divine right of kings § Asserted the rights of citizens to revolt against unfair government

Living Well § Improvement in living conditions § Development of smallpox vaccine § Wealthy aristocrats built lavish estates with beautiful lawns & gardens § Spacious new streets & squares in London § Coffeehouses § Gathering places for writers, artists, politicians & other members of society

Women § Wanted to be educated equally as men § Wanted to be allowed to join professions to strengthen relationship between the sexes § Salons § Private gathering places where women could participate in the nation’s intellectual life

Industrial Revolution § Period of major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport, and technology § Affected almost every aspect of daily life § Income and population grew § Living conditions differed greatly

Improvements in Industry § Machine Operations § Iron making techniques § Introduction of canals along with improved roads and railways § Steam power fueled by coal § Gas lighting § Printing § Chemicals

Literature of the Times § Social Observers § Middle class grew and prospered § Ordinary men & women had more money, leisure activities, and educational opportunities § New audience willing to read and pay for literature who wanted literature to be written in a clear language that they could understand

Journalism § Newspapers flourished—restrictions were eased § The Tatler & The Spectator § Satisfied middle-class appetite for instruction & amusement § Newspapers gave opinions on everything from social manners to international politics and did not report current events

More Literature § Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Dafoe § England’s 1 st novel § Written in style that appealed to the masses § Novels written in forms of letters & diaries § Samuel Pepys § “The Diary of Samuel Pepys” § Real life diary that provide a glimpse of life during the times

Satirical Voices § Satire was used to point out aspects of society that others felt needed to be changed § Aimed at the elite class § Neoclassicism § § Modeled on the works of Ancient Greece & Rome Stressed balance, order, logic, and emotional restraint Focused on society and human intellect Avoided personal feelings

Authors of Satire § Alexander Pope—wrote poetry that poked fun at ladies of high society § “The Rape of the Lock”—mock epic § Jonathan Swift—savagely attacked educators, politicians, churchmen & others that he saw as corrupt § “A Modest Proposal”

Literature Evolving § Types of literature that evolved § § § Biographies History Philosophy Politics Economics Natural History § Poets began writing simpler, freer lyrics on subjects close to the human heart which led to the Romantic period