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{{Short description|One hundred years, from 1701 to 1800}}
{{Centurybox|18}}
{{other uses}}
The '''18th century''' lasted from ] to ] in the ], in accordance with the ]/] numbering system.
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}{{Centurybox|18}}
]
], 14 July 1789, an iconic event of the ].]]
] in the late 18th century was an important element in the ] in Europe.]]
] took place in the late 18th century.]]
The '''18th century''' lasted from 1 January ] (represented by the ] MDCCI) to 31 December ] (MDCCC). During the 18th century, elements of ] thinking culminated in the ]. Revolutions began to challenge the legitimacy of monarchical and aristocratic power structures. The ] began during mid-century, leading to radical changes in ] and the ]. The ] and other parts of the world intensified and associated mass migrations of people grew in size as part of the ]. During the century, ] expanded across the shores of the ], while declining in ]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Volkov|first=Sergey|title=Concise History of Imperial Russia}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rowe|first=William T.|title=China's Last Empire}}</ref>


However,Western historians sometimes specifically define the 18th ] otherwise for the purposes of their work. For example, the "short" 18th century may be defined as ]-], denoting the period of time between the death of ] and the start of the ] with an emphasis on directly interconnected events.<ref>{{cite book | author=Anderson, M. S.| title=Historians and the Eighteenth-Century Europe, 1715–1789|publisher=Oxford University Press| year=1979 | isbn=0198225482 | oclc=185538307}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Ribeiro, Aileen| title=Dress in Eighteenth-Century Europe 1715-1789 (revised edition)|publisher=Yale University Press| year=2002 | isbn=0300091516 | oclc=186413657}}</ref> ] historians have occasionally defined the 18th century otherwise for the purposes of their work. For example, the "short" 18th century may be defined as 1715–1789, denoting the period of time between the death of ] and the start of the ], with an emphasis on directly interconnected events.<ref>{{cite book |author=Anderson, M. S. |url=https://archive.org/details/historianseighte0000ande |title=Historians and Eighteenth-Century Europe, 1715–1789 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1979 |isbn=978-0-19-822548-5 |oclc=185538307 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ribeiro, Aileen |title=Dress in Eighteenth-Century Europe 1715–1789 |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-300-09151-9 |edition=revised |oclc=186413657}}</ref> To historians who expand the century to include larger historical movements, the "long" 18th century<ref name="Baines">{{cite book |last=Baines |first=Paul |title=The Long 18th Century |publisher=Arnold |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-340-81372-0 |location=London}}</ref> may run from the ] of 1688 to the ] in 1815<ref>{{cite book |title=The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume II: The Eighteenth Century (Oxford History of the British Empire) |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-924677-9 |editor=Marshall, P. J. |oclc=174866045}}, "Introduction" by P. J. Marshall, page 1</ref> or even later.<ref>{{cite book |author=O'Gorman, Frank |url=https://archive.org/details/longeighteenthce0000ogor |title=The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688–1832 (The Arnold History of Britain Series) |publisher=A Hodder Arnold Publication |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-340-56751-7 |oclc=243883533 |url-access=registration}}</ref>


In ], philosophers ushered in the Age of Enlightenment. This period coincided with the French Revolution of 1789, and was later compromised by the excesses of the ]. At first, many monarchies of Europe embraced Enlightenment ideals, but in the wake of the French Revolution they feared loss of power and formed broad coalitions to oppose the ] in the ]. Various conflicts throughout the century, including the ] and the ], saw ] triumph over its rivals to become the preeminent power in Europe. However, Britain's attempts to exert its authority over the ] became a catalyst for the ]. The 18th century also marked the end of the ] as an independent state. Its semi-democratic government system was not robust enough to prevent ] by the neighboring states of ], ], and Russia.
To historians who expand the century to include larger historical movements, the "long" 18th century <ref name=Baines>{{cite book | last = Baines | first = Paul | title = The Long 18th Century | publisher = Arnold | location = London | year = 2004 | isbn = 0340813725 }}</ref> may run from the ] of ] to the ] in ]<ref>{{cite book | author=Marshall, P. J. (Editor)| title=The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume II: The Eighteenth Century (Oxford History of the British Empire) |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA| year=2001 | isbn=0199246777 | oclc=174866045}}, "Introduction" by P. J. Marshall, page 1</ref> or even later.<ref>{{cite book | author=O'Gorman, Frank | title=The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688-1832 (The Arnold History of Britain Series) |publisher=A Hodder Arnold Publication| year=1997 | isbn=0340567511 | oclc=243883533}}</ref> ], ], an iconic event of the ]]]], ], an iconic event of the ]]]


In ], ] led ] in successful ]. The ] experienced an unprecedented period of peace and economic expansion, taking no part in European wars from 1740 to 1768. As a result, the empire was not exposed to Europe's military improvements during the Seven Years' War. The Ottoman military consequently lagged behind and suffered several defeats against Russia in the second half of the century.
During the 18th century, the ] culminated in the French and American revolutions. Philosophy and science increased in prominence. Philosophers were dreaming about a better age without the Christian fundamentalism of earlier centuries. This dream turned into a nightmare during the terror of Maximlien de Robespierre in the early 1790s. At first, the monarchies of Europe embraced enlightenment ideals, but with the French revolution, they were on the side of the counterrevolution.


In ], the death of Mughal emperor ] was followed by the expansion of the ] and an increasing level of European influence and control in the region. In 1739, Persian emperor Nader Shah invaded and plundered Delhi, the capital of the ]. Later, his general ] scored another victory against the Marathas, the then dominant power in India, in the ] in 1761.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Chandra |first=Bipin |title=Mordern India |location=India |language=en}}</ref> By the middle of the century, the ] began to conquer eastern India,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=John |url=https://www.wdl.org/en/item/2384/ |title=Memoirs of the Revolution in Bengal, anno Dom. 1757 |last2=Watts |first2=William |publisher=A. Millar, London |year=1760 |author-link1=John Campbell (author)}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> and by the end of the century, the ] against ] and his father ], led to ] over the south.<ref>{{Citation |title=Why Europe Grew Rich and Asia Did Not: Global Economic Divergence, 1600–1850 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_YEcvo-jqcC&pg=PA207 |page=207 |year=2011 |publisher=] |isbn=978-1-139-49889-0 |given=Prasannan |surname=Parthasarathi}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Allana |first=Gulam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4nbiAAAAMAAJ |title=Muslim political thought through the ages: 1562–1947 |publisher=Royal Book Company |year=1988 |isbn=9789694070919 |edition=2 |location=Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania |page=78 |access-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>
] became a major power worldwide with the defeat of France in the Americas in the 1760s and the conquest of large parts of India. However, Britain lost the USA after the American revolution. The ] started in Britain. Despite its modest beginnings in the 18th century, it would radically change human society and the geology of the surface of the earth.

In ], the century marked the ] and experienced relative peace and prosperity. Conversely, the continual ] of the ] also brought ]. In ], the ] and the ] broke out while the ] established ] over the ].

In ], the ] underwent the ], a period when the country was ruled by a class of regional noblemen and the emperor was merely a figurehead. The ] also saw the continued involvement of states such as the ]. In ], the European colonization of ] and ] began during the late half of the century. In the ], the ] declared its independence from Great Britain. In 1776, ] wrote the ]. In 1789, ] was inaugurated as the first president. ] traveled to Europe where he was hailed as an inventor. Examples of his inventions include the ] and ]. ] led an ] that sought to end ].


==Events== ==Events==
{{For timeline}}
===]===
{{see also|Georgian era}}
] in the ]]]
] (1700)]]
], English general.]]
* ]: The ] (magnitude 9) occurs off the coast of the ]; the coast of Japan is struck by a ].
* ]: ] forms across the ].
* ]-]: ] supplants ] as the dominant ] power after the ].
* ]-]: ] was a conflict which involved most of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_spanishsuccession.html |title=War of the Spanish Succession, 1701-1714 |publisher=Historyofwar.org |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]-]: The '']'' and the ''The Norwich Post'' becomes the first daily newspapers in England.
* ]: ] attack ] and then commit ] in Japan.
* ]-]: ] in ].
* ]: ] founded by ]. ]n ] until ].
*]-]: The ] against the ].
* ]: End of Japan's ] period.
* ]: ] passed merging the ] and the ] Parliaments, thus establishing The ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Historic uk – heritage of britain accommodation guide |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/ActofUnion.htm |title=The history of Scotland – The Act of Union 1707 |publisher=Historic-uk.com |date=2007-05-03 |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: After ]'s death, the ] enters a long decline and the ] slowly replaces it.
* ]: ] erupts in Japan.
* ]: ] between the Marathas and Mughals ends in India.
* ]: ] and English Company Trading to the East Indies merged to form the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies.
* ]-]: ] kills one-third of ]'s population.
* ]: Coldest winter in 500 years.
* ]: ] founded in Afghanistan.
* ]: ] flees to Ottoman Empire after ] defeats his army at the ].


===]=== ===1701–1750===
], 1700]]
* ]: ]
] in 1709 turned the ] into a European power.]]
* ]: Spanish military embarks on the ] from Mexico and travel into the ]
]]]
* ]–]: The ]
* ]: ] became the first ] (]). * ]–]: ] between the ] and ]s.
* ]: ] signed, ending the ]. * ]: ] declared under King ].
* ]: The ] marks the rise of the ].
* ]: ] ] Christian Missionaries because of Pope Clement XI's decree.
* ]–]: The ] is fought, involving most of continental ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_spanishsuccession.html |title=War of the Spanish Succession, 1701–1714 |publisher=Historyofwar.org |access-date=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: ] the ]
* ]–]: ] in France.
* ]: ] conquered Iran, overthrowing the ] ].
* ]: ] is founded by ]; it is the Russian ] until ].
* ]: ] of ] died.
* ]–]: The ] against the ].
* ]: ] is killed in a sea battle off the African coast.
* ]: End of Japan's ] period.
* ]–]: ]
* ]: ].<ref name="RICKLEFSp82">Ricklefs (1991), page 82</ref>
* ]–]: The War of the Spanish Succession: French troops defeated at the ] and the ].
* ]: Death of Mughal Emperor ] leads to the fragmentation of the ].
* ]: The ] is passed, merging the Scottish and English Parliaments, thus establishing the ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic uk – heritage of britain accommodation guide |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/ActofUnion.htm |title=The history of Scotland – The Act of Union 1707 |publisher=Historic-uk.com |date=2007-05-03 |access-date=2009-04-25 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090408060918/http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/ActofUnion.htm |archive-date= 8 April 2009 |url-status= live}}</ref>
* ]: The ] and English Company Trading to the East Indies merge to form the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies.
* ]–]: Famine kills one-third of ]'s population.
* ]: Foundation of the ].
* ]: The ] marks the coldest winter in 500 years, contributing to the defeat of ] at ].
* ]: The world's first ], Britain's ], takes effect.
* ]–]: ] fights Russia in the ] and regains ].
* ]: ] dissolves as local begs seize power.
* ]–]: ] between British, Dutch, and German settlers and the ] of ].
* ]: The ] acknowledges the full recovery of the Chinese economy since its apex during the ].
* ]: In Amsterdam, ] invents the ], which remains the most reliable and accurate thermometer until the electronic era.
* ]: The ] breaks out; the British halt the Jacobite advance at the ]; ].
* ]: Establishment of the ] along the present-day India-] border.
* ]–]: ].
* ]: The city of ] is founded by the French in North America.
* ]–]: ] with Spain versus France, Britain, Austria, and the Netherlands.
* ]–]: ] of the Ottoman Empire.
* ]: ].<ref name="RICKLEFSp84">Ricklefs (1991), page 84</ref>
* ]: The ].
* ]–]: The ].
* ]: Qing forces oust ] invaders from ].
* ]: The ] is signed, ending the ].
* ]: ], massacre of its Shia population by ] ].
* ]: ] results in the handover of Iran to the ].
* ]–]: ].
* ]–]: Controversy over ]'s halfpence leads to the '']'' and begins the Irish economic independence from England movement. * ]–]: Controversy over ]'s halfpence leads to the '']'' and begins the Irish economic independence from England movement.
] with the Persian invader ].]]
* ]: ] abolished in Russia. ] converted the household ] into house ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 |title=Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to History |publisher=Britannica.com |date=1910-01-31 |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: ] is abolished in Russia; ] converts household ] into house ].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160 |title=Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to History |encyclopedia=Britannica.com |date=1910-01-31 |access-date=2009-04-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416090645/https://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24160| archive-date= 16 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* ]–]: The "Great Disaster" – an invasion of ] territories by the ].
* ]–]: The "Great Disaster", an invasion of ] territories by the ].
* ]: The ] nomads took complete control of ] and set up the first of many ] to come.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-620352/Usman-dan-Fodio |title=Usman dan Fodio (Fulani leader) |publisher=Britannica.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]–]: The Qing and the Dzungars fight a series of wars across ], ], and ], with inconclusive results.
* ]: The enormous Chinese encyclopedia '']'' of over 100 million written ] in over 800,000 pages is printed in 60 different copies using ]-based Chinese ] ].
* ]: ] proposes the ] temperature scale.
*]–]: ]
* ]: ] revived. Russia joins in 1726.
* ]–]: ] and ] begin the ] in England
* ]–]: ] ends inconclusively.

* ]: ] takes over Ottoman Empire after the ] revolt, ending the ].
===]===
* ]–]: The ] takes place in Great Britain and North America.
* ]–]: ] raids into Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zum.de/whkmla/military/russia/milxcrimeantatars.html |title=List of Wars of the Crimean Tatars |publisher=Zum.de |access-date=2009-04-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090312034756/http://www.zum.de/whkmla/military/russia/milxcrimeantatars.html| archive-date= 12 March 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
*]–]: ].
]]] ]]]
* ]–]: ].
* ]: ] takes over Ottoman Empire after civilian unrest.
* ]-]: ] takes place in Great Britain and North America. * ]–]: The ] of China oversees a huge expansion in territory.
* ]-]: ] raids into Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zum.de/whkmla/military/russia/milxcrimeantatars.html |title=List of Wars of the Crimean Tatars |publisher=Zum.de |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref> * ]–]: ] across the ]; half the population of ] dies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ag.arizona.edu/~lmilich/desclim.html |title=Len Milich: Anthropogenic Desertification vs 'Natural' Climate Trends |publisher=Ag.arizona.edu |date=1997-08-10 |access-date=2009-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211081648/http://ag.arizona.edu/~lmilich/desclim.html |archive-date=2012-02-11 }}</ref>
* ]-]: ]. * ]–]: Hotak Empire ends after the ] by ].
* ]-]: ].
* ]-]: The ] of China oversaw a huge expansion in territory.
* ]: ] assumed title of ] of ] and founded the ]. Ruled until his death in ].
*]: ] Chinese court painters recreate ]'s classic ], '']''.
* ]-]: ] across the ], half the population of ] died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ag.arizona.edu/~lmilich/desclim.html |title=Len Milich: Anthropogenic Desertification vs 'Natural' Climate Trends |publisher=Ag.arizona.edu |date=1997-08-10 |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: ] issues the ] prohibiting Catholics from becoming ].
* ]: ] defeated the ] at the ] and sacked ].
* ]: Great Britain and Spain fight the ] in the Caribbean. * ]: Great Britain and Spain fight the ] in the Caribbean.
* ]: Nader Shah defeats a pan-Indian army of 300,000 at the ]. Taxation is stopped in Iran for three years.
* ]–]: ].
* ]: ] brings the ] to New England
* ]–]: ] kills 20 percent of the population.
* ]–]: Iran invades ], ], ], and ].
* ]–]: ].
* ]–]: ].
* ]: ], the first water-powered ], begins operation in England.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Wadsworth |first1=Alfred P. |last2=Mann |first2=Julia De Lacy |year=1931 |title=The Cotton Trade and Industrial Lancashire, 1600–1780 |publisher=] |oclc=2859370 |page=433}}</ref>
* ]: ] proposes an inverted form of the centigrade temperature, which is later renamed ] in his honor.
* ]: Premiere of ]'s ].
* ]–]: Another ] involves 375,000 men but ultimately ends in a stalemate.
] system came with the defeat of the clansmen at the ] in 1746.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/unspoilt/20/clans |title=A guide to Scottish clans |publisher=Unique-cottages.co.uk |access-date=2009-04-25|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511181304/http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/unspoilt/20/clans |archive-date = May 11, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>]]
* ]: The ] is founded by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/7.htm |title=Saudi Arabia – The Saud Family and Wahhabi Islam |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: ] is fought off the coast of France.
* ]–]: The ] is fought between the British, the French, the Marathas, and Mysore in India.
* ]: ] is begun by ] in Scotland.
* ]: The ] is founded by ].
* ]: The ] ends the War of the Austrian Succession and First Carnatic War.
* ]–]: The ] is fought between the British, the French, the Marathas, and Mysore in India.
* ]: Peak of the ].


===]=== ===1751–1800===
* ]: The ] adopts the ], skipping 11 days from 3 September to 13 September. On the calendar, 2 September is followed directly by 14 September.
], King of Prussia.]]
* ]: The Treaty of Pondicherry ends the Second Carnatic War and recognizes ] as ].
] system came with the defeat of the clansmen at the ] in 1746.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/unspoilt/20/clans |title=A guide to Scottish clans |publisher=Unique-cottages.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>]]
* ]: ] is founded by a royal charter of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/content/history.html|title=History|publisher=Columbia University}}</ref>
* ]: ] comes to power in ].
* ]–]: The ], the North American chapter of the ], is fought in colonial North America, mostly by the French and their allies against the English and their allies.
* ]: British attempt to capture ] but lose to the Spanish during the ].
* ]: The ] destroys most of ]'s capital and kills up to 100,000.
* ]-]: ] killed ten per cent of the population.
* ]: The ] depopulates much of northern Xinjiang, allowing for Han, Uyghur, Khalkha Mongol, and Manchu colonization.
* ]-]: ]
* ]–]: The ] forces transfer of the French Acadian population from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
* ]: ]ns began settling the ].
* ]–]: The ] is fought among European powers in various theaters around the world.
* ]: ] issues ''Immensa Pastorum principis'' against slavery.
* ]–]: The ] is fought between the British, the French, and Mysore in India.
* ]: The ] is founded by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/7.htm |title=Saudi Arabia – The Saud Family and Wahhabi Islam |publisher=Countrystudies.us |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: ].
* ]: French attempt to restart the ] fails
], Empress of Russia.]]
* ]-]: The ] fought between the British, the French, the ], and ] in ].
* ]: ] becomes King of Britain.
* ]: Second ] began by ] in ].
* ]: ] founded the ] in modern day ]. * ]: ] defeated at ].
* ]–]: Reign of ] of Russia.
* ]: ] ends the War of the Austrian Succession and First Carnatic War.
* ]: The ] ends the Seven Years' War and Third Carnatic War.
* ]-]: The ] fought between the ], the ], the ], and ] in ]
* ]: ] and the ] defeat the ] at the ].

* ]: The Mughals are defeated at the ].
===]===
* ]: The ] is introduced into the ] by the British Parliament.
]]]
* ]: The ] and utterly destroy ].
* ]: Peak of the ]
* ]–]: ] under ] repels ] from Qing China, securing hegemony over the ].
* ]: Treaty of Pondicherry ends Second Carnatic War and recognizes ] as ].
* ]: ] becomes king of Denmark. He was ] to ].
* ]–], The ], Fought in the U.S. and Canada mostly between the French and French allies and the English and English allies. The North American chapter of the ].
* ]–]: ].
* ]: The ]
* ]: ] expels Burmese invaders and reunites Thailand under an authoritarian regime.
* ]-]: The ]
* ]–]: ].
* ]-]: ] fought among European powers in various theaters around the world.
* ]–]: ].
* ]-]: The ] fought between the ], the ], the ], and ] in ].
* ]: Spanish ] establish the first of 21 ] in ].
* ]: ] signaled the beginning of formal ] rule in ] after years of commercial activity under the auspices of the ].
* ]: British colonel ] issues the ] * ]–]: ] explores and maps New Zealand and Australia.
* ]–]: The ] kills one-third of the Bengal population.
* ]: French commander ] and British commander ] die during the ].
* ]: The ] dissolves, only to be revived in 1785.

* ]: French expeditions capture ] plants in ], ending the ]'s (VOC) monopoly of the plant.<ref name="RICKLEFSp102">Ricklefs (1991), page 102</ref>
===]===
* ]–]: ] kills hundreds of thousands.
], King of Great Britain.]]
* ]: ] became King of Britain. * ]: The ] in Moscow.
* ]: The ] dissolves as the territory becomes colonized by Russians. More than a hundred thousand ] migrate back to ].
* ]: ] founded in Iran
* ]: ] stages a coup d'état, becoming almost an absolute monarch.
* ]: Maratha Empire defeated at ]
]]]
* ]-]: Reign of ] of ].
* ]–]: Maratha Empire fights Britain and ]'s forces during the ].
* ]: ] ends Seven Years' War and Third Carnatic War
* ]–]: The ] end the ] and erase Poland from the map for 123 years.
* ]: ] conquers the ]
* ]–]: ], the largest peasant revolt in Russian history.
* ]: ] introduced into the ] by the UK Parliament.
* ]: East India Company starts operations in ] to smuggle ].
* ]-]: ]
* ]: Russia imposes a reduction in autonomy on the ] of Ukraine.
* ]: ] conquered the ].
* ]: ]s conquered ]. * ]–]: ].
* ]-]: ] * ]–]: ].
* ]: Several ]s are founded by Chinese settlers in the island of ]. They are some of the first democracies in Asia.
* ]: ] ] established the first of 21 ] in ].
* ]–]: ] occurs over land in the South American frontiers.
* ]-]: ] explores and maps New Zealand and Australia
* ]: ] founded by ].
* ]-]: The ] killed one third of the ] population.
* ]: The ] is adopted by the ] in ].

* ]: ] publishes '']''.
===]===
* ]: ] becomes the first European to land on the ].
] and the ]]]
* ]: ] signed.
* ]: ] claims the East Coast of Australia (]) for Great Britain.
* ]: Spain acquires its ] from the Portuguese, which is administered by the newly-established ].
* ]-]: ] killed hundreds of thousands.
* ]: ] is reunified for the first time in 200 years by the ]. The ] has been established, terminating the ].
* ]: The ] in ].
* ]–]: ] between British and ] settlers and the ] in the ].
* ]: ] and his partners build the world's first water-powered mill at Cromford.
* ]–]: ] to the combined Franco-Spanish navy.
* ]: Reformer ] executed in ].
* ]: ] stages a coup d'état and takes big political power, becoming almost an absolute monarch. * ]: Iran enters yet another period of conflict and civil war after the prosperous reign of ].
* ]: Outbreak of the ] against Spanish colonization led by ] in ].
* ]: ] marks the end of the ]
* ]: The city of Los Angeles is founded by Spanish settlers.]]]
* ]-]: Maratha Empire fights England and ]'s forces during the ]
* ]-]: The ] ended the ] and erased Poland from the map for 123 years. * ]–]: ] is abolished in the ] (first step; second step in ]).
* ]: The ] of Thailand is dissolved after a palace coup.
* ]-]: ] was the largest peasant revolt in ]'s history.
* ]: East India Company starts operations in ] to smuggle ]. * ]: The ] formally ends the ].
* ]: Russian annexation of ].
* ] ] and ] ]s are used to measure ] by ] on his ]
* ]–]: Imam ], a ] warrior and Muslim mystic, leads a coalition of Muslim ] from throughout the ] in a ] against Russian settlers and military bases in the Caucasus, as well as against local traditionalists, who followed the traditional customs and common law (Adat) rather than the theocratic Sharia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org/bin/site/wrappers/spirituality-sufism_caucasus.html |title=Sufism in the Caucasus |publisher=Islamicsupremecouncil.org |access-date=2009-04-25|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090223235641/http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org/bin/site/wrappers/spirituality-sufism_caucasus.html |archive-date = February 23, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ]-]: ]
* ]–]: The ] is fought between the United States and ].
* ]-]: ]
* ]–]: The ] concludes with an exchange of territories in the ].
* ]: ] founded by Adam Weishaupt
* ]–]: ] premieres '']'' and '']''.
* ]: ] adopted by the ] in ].
* ]: ] established in ]. * ]: The ] occupy Timbuktu until the 19th century.
* ]–]: ].
* ]: ] becomes first European on the ].
* ]: ] arrives in Australia
* ]-]: ] between British and ] settlers and the ]s in ]
* ]–]: ].

* ]: Dutch ] (1788–1899) would become the first generally accepted validated case of a ] on record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Table A – Verified Supercentenarians (Listed Chronologically By Birth Date) |url=http://www.grg.org/Adams/A.HTM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712044827/http://www.grg.org/Adams/A.HTM |archive-date=12 July 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="grggl"></ref>
===]===
]]]
]]]
* ]–]: A Qing attempt to reinstall an exiled ] in northern Vietnam ].
* ]: Outbreak of ] led by ] in ].
* ]: ] is elected the first ]; he serves until ].
* ]: ] settlers founded ].
* ]: ] defeats the ] army.
* ]-]: ] abolished in the ] (first step; second step in ])
* ]–]: ].
* ]: ] in ] caused by the eruption of the ] volcano.
* ]: ] annexed the ]. * ]: The ].
* ]: The ].
* ] The ] formally ends the ].
* ]: The {{lang|pt|]|italic=no}}, an unsuccessful separatist movement in central Brazil led by ]
* ]-]: Imam ], a ] warrior and Muslim mystic, led a coalition of Muslim ] from throughout the ] in a ] against the Russian invaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org/bin/site/wrappers/spirituality-sufism_caucasus.html |title=Sufism in the Caucasus |publisher=Islamicsupremecouncil.org |date= |accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
* ]: Suppression of the ] by ] forces and re-establishment of the ].
* ]-]: ] between the ] and ]
* ]–]: ] explores the world during the ].
* ]: ] was written in ] and submitted to the states for ratification.
* ]–]: The ].
* ]: Freed slaves from ] founded ] in present-day ].
* ]: Mozart premieres '']''.
* ]: ] instituted in Japan by ].
* ]–]: The ] lead into the ], which last from ]–].
* ]-]: ]
* ]: The ] is founded.
* ]: First European settlement established in ] at ].
* ]: ].
* ]: ] ratifies the ] as the 9th state, and by the terms of Article VII it is in effect.
* ]: ] (1792–1903) would become the first recorded female ] to reach the age of 110.<ref name="BIB">{{cite book |last=Balfour-Pau |first=Glen |title=Bagpipes in Babylon: A Lifetime in the Arab World and Beyond |date=20 December 2005 |publisher=I.B.Tauris, 2006 |isbn=9781845111519}}</ref><ref name="Priaulx">{{cite web |date=2005 |title=The Harvey Family |url=http://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/priaulx-library-new-details2.asp?ItemID=95 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022135751/http://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/priaulx-library-new-details2.asp?ItemID=95 |archivedate=22 October 2013 |work=Priaulx Library}}</ref>
* ]: ] elected ]. Served until ].
* ]: Great Britain and Spain dispute the ] during the ].
* ]-]: The ]
] at the ]]]

===]===
] took place in ], during the ].]]
], ]]]
* ]: Establishment of the ]
* ] The Constitutional Act (Or Canada Act) creates the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada in British North America.
* ]-]: ] explores the world during the ].
* ]-]: The ]
* ]-]: The ] started as the ] which lead into the ].
* ]: ] founded.
* ]: King ] was assassinated by a conspiracy of noblemen.
* ]: ] ]. * ]: ] ].
* ]: The largest ] in American history killed as many as 5,000 people in ]—roughly 10% of the population.<ref>{{cite web | title=Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793 | work=EyeWitness to History|url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm|accessdate=2007-06-22}}</ref> * ]: The largest ] in American history kills as many as 5,000 people in ], roughly 10% of the population.<ref>{{cite web | title=Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793 | work=EyeWitness to History|url=http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm|access-date=2007-06-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070607233805/http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm| archive-date= 7 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* ]-]: ] against the French Republic at the time of the ]. * ]–]: ] against the French Republic at the time of the ].
* ]–]: The ], which were a series of incidents between settlers and ] and the ] clans of the ] in ], ].
* ]: ]
* ]: The ] is officially adopted as the French ].] at the ]]]
* ]: ] concluded between ] and the ], by which the ] in the ] are returned to the U.S., and commerce between the two countries is regulated.
* ]: The ] in the final days of King ]'s wars to ] the Hawaiian Islands.
* ]: ] founded in Iran after replacing the Zand dynasty.
* ]–]: ], prompting ].
* ]: ] between the ] and ] granted the ] to the US.
* ]: ] administers the first ]; ] killed an estimated 400,000 Europeans each year during the 18th century, including five reigning ]s.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Riedel S |title=Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination |journal=Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=21–5 |year=2005 |pmid=16200144 |doi= 10.1080/08998280.2005.11928028|pmc=1200696}}</ref>
* ]: The ] officially adopted as the ] ].
* ]: ] of the Island of ] defeats the ]ans at the ]. * ]: ]: The ] marks ]'s first victory as an army commander.
* ]: The British eject the Dutch from ] and ].
* ]: ] administers the first ]. ] killed an estimated 400,000 Europeans each year during the 18th century (including five reigning ]s).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Riedel S |title=Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination |url= http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1200696|journal=Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=21–5 |year=2005 |pmid=16200144 |doi=}}</ref>
* ]–]: The ] against the ] in China.
* ]: ]. Engagement in the War of the ]. ]'s first victory as an army commander.
* ]: The ] fails to overthrow ].
* ]: British ejected Dutch from ].
* ]–]: The ] is fought between the United States and France.
* ]: ], backed by the ], is the first European to set eyes on the ] in Africa.
* ]-]: The ] against the ] in China.
* ]: ]'s invasion and partition of the ] ended over 1,000 years of independence for the Serene Republic.
* ]: The ] failed to overthrow British rule in ].
* ]-]: ] between the ] and ].
* ]: ] staged a ] and became ] of ].
* ]: ] is dissolved. * ]: ] is dissolved.
* ]: ] forces under ] ] from French occupation.
* ]: The assassination of the 14th ], Tukuʻaho, plunges ] into half a century of civil war.
* ]: ] - ]'s ] brings the end of the ].
* ]: Death of the Qianlong Emperor after ]. His favorite official, ], is ordered to commit suicide.
* ]: On 1 January, the bankrupt VOC is formally dissolved and the nationalized ] are established.<ref name="RICKLEFSp106">Ricklefs (1991), page 106</ref>


==Inventions, discoveries, and introductions==
==Significant people==
{{main|Timeline of historic inventions#18th century|Timeline of scientific discoveries#18th century}}
===World leaders, politicians, military===
]]]
{{see also|Founding Fathers of the United States}}
]]]
]]]
], ] and ]]]
]]]
]]]
]]]
]]]
], King of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.]]
* ], American statesman
* ], American statesman
* ], Afghan King
* ], Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
* ], Ruler of ]
* ], American Revolutionary Army
* ], Queen of Great Britain
* ], Austrian-born Queen of France
* ], Elector of Saxony, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Lithuania
* ], Mughal Emperor
* ], King of ]
* ], King of ]
* ], Anglo-Irish politician
* ], Anglo-Irish politician
* ], Tsaritsa of Russia
* ], King of Spain, Naples, and Sicily
* ], Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, King of Bohemia and Hungary
* ], King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends;
* ], French revolutionary
* ], French revolutionary leader
* ], Emperor of ]
* ], King of Naples, Sicily, and the ]
* ], American leader, scientist and statesman
* ], Spanish naval officer and explorer
* ], King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends
* ], King of Prussia
* ], King of Great Britain and Ireland
* ], King of Great Britain and Ireland
* ], King of Great Britain and Ireland
* ], American revolutionary, merchant, and explorer
* ], King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends
* ], King of Joseon Dynasty
* ], Sultan of Ottoman Empire
* ], American statesman
* ], American statesman
* ], Emperor of Japan
* ], American statesman
* ], American statesman
* ], King of Joseon Dynasty
* ], American naval commander
* ], King of Portugal
* ], Austrian Emperor
* ], Chinese Emperor
* ], ] of Iran and King of Persia
* ], Continental Army officer
* ], King of France
* ], King of France
* ], King of France
* ], imprisoned King of France, never ruled
* ], American statesman
* ], Peshwa/Prime Minister of Maratha Empire
* ], Marathan leader
* ], Sultan of Ottoman Empire
* ], Spanish explorer
* ], American statesman
* ], Miami chief and warrior
* ], Spanish statesman
* ], French officer
* ], Sultan of Ottoman Empire
* ], King of Persia
* ], Emperor of Japan
* ], British admiral
* ], Peshwa/Prime Minister of Maratha Empire
* ], King of Keladi Nayaka
* ], Sultan of Ottaman Empire
* ] (''Peter the Great''), Tsar of Russian
* ], King of Spain
* ], Ottawa chief and warrior
* ], Emperor of China
* ], Monarch of the ]
* ], Prince of Hungary and Transylvania, revolutionary leader
* ], Polish politician
* ], American revolutionary leader and silversmith
* ], French revolutionary leader
* ], American flag maker
* ], King of Persia.
* ], Anglo-Irish politician
* ], Anglo-Irish politician
* ], Prime Minister of Portugal
* ], Emperor of ]
* ], Sultan of Ottoman Empire
* ], English ] exile
* ], King of Joseon Dynasty
* ], Russian military leader
* ], Austrian Empress
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Japanese Shogun
* ], Haitian revolutionary leader
* ], Peruvian revolutionary
* ], British Captain and explorer
* ], Prime Minister of Great Britain
* ], American general and first President of the United States
* ], British officer
* ], King of Joseon Dynasty

===Show business, theatre, entertainers===
{{see also|Theatre Royal, Drury Lane|Haymarket Theatre|Sichuan opera}}
]]]
* ], actor
* ], actor, poet, playwright
* ], actor
* ], actor
* ], English dramatist and poet
* ], English playwright
* ], actor
* ], Japanese dramatist, playwright
* ], Irish playwright
* ], English actress
* ], English actress
* ], English actress, ballerina, dancer
* ], Chinese dramatist, poet
* ], Irish playwright
* ], English cricketer
* ], English cricketer
* ], English actor
* ], Chinese playwright, poet

===Musicians, composers===
{{main|List of Classical era composers|List of Baroque composers}}
]]]
]]]
* ], Italian composer
* ], English composer and musician
* ], Indian and Bengali musician and composer
* ], German composer
* ], English musician and music historian
* ], French composer
* ], English hymnist and poet
* ], Turkish/Ottoman composer
* ], German composer
* ], Italian violinist, composer, and music theorist.
* ], German-English composer
* ], Austrian composer
* ], Armenian/Ottoman composer
* ], Bengali composer
* ], Austrian composer
* ], Austrian composer
* ], German composer, teacher
* ], French composer and chess master
* ], French composer
* ], Bengali composer, musician, and poet
* ], Hindustani composer
* ], Italian composer.
* ], Italian violin maker
* ], Italian composer
* ], English hymnist

===Visual artists, painters, sculptors, printmakers===
{{main|History of painting|Rococo|Neoclassicism}}
]]]
]]]
* ], French painter, architect, missionary in China
* ], English artist and poet
* ], French sculptor
* ], French painter
* ], Italian painter, architect, missionary in China
* ], French painter
* ], American painter
* ], French painter
* ], French sculptor
* ], French painter
* ], English painter
* ], Spanish painter
* ], French painter
* ], Japanese woodblock printer
* ], English painter and engraver
* ], French sculptor, student of his father
* ], French sculptor
* ], French sculptor
* ], Chinese painter, poet, essayist
* ], French-German painter, architect
* ], Chinese painter, poet
* ], Italian-born Russian architect
* ], English painter
* ], American painter
* ], Japanese printmaker, teacher
* ], Venetian painter
* ], Chinese artist and scholar
* ], Japanese printmaker and painter
* ], French painter

===Writers, poets===
]]]
]]]
]]]
]]]
* ], English writer
* ], English Poet, essayist, and children's author
* ], French writer
* ], French poet and literary critic
* ], Scottish biographer
* ], English novelist
* ], Scottish poet
* ], Venetian adventurer, writer and womanizer
* ], French writer
* ], English novelist and journalist
* ], Chinese poet and writer
* ], Anglo-Irish novelist
* ], English novelist
* ], German writer
* ], Anglo-Irish writer, poet, children's writer, and playwright
* ], English poet, scholar, and educator
* ], English writer
* ], Chinese writer
* ], British writer, lexicographer, poet, and literary critic
* ], British poet/writer
* ], Hungarian writer
* ], English novelist and poet
* ], English novelist and playwright
* ], Indian poet
* ], Scottish novelist
* ], French journalist
* ], Spanish writer
* ], Chinese poet, scholar and artist
* ], French writer and politician
* ], English children's literature publisher
* ], English poet
* ], English novelist
* ], English novelist
* ], Chinese novelist
* ], French writer and philosopher
* ], Bengali poet and singer
* ], German writer
* ], Scottish novelest and poet
* ], English poet and actor
* ], English poet and biographer
* ], English memoirist
* ], English writer
* ], Chinese short story writer
* ], Anglo-Irish writer
* ], Anglo-Irish satirist and ] ]
* ], Japanese writer
* ], French writer and philosopher
* ], English writer and politician
* ], British writer and feminist
* ], Chinese writer

===Philosophers, theologians===
]]]
]]]
* ], Japanese scholar, writer and politician
* ], English philosopher and reformer
* ], Irish empiricist philosopher
* ], British statesman and philosopher
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], English philosopher, poet and scientist
* ], French writer and philosopher
* ], English philosopher and novelist
* ], German writer, Jewish theologian, translator, and professor
* ], German philosopher, writer, and critic
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], Scottish philosopher
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], German philosopher
* ], Japanese philosopher
* ], English theologian
* ], Italian bishop, founder of Redemptorists, Saint
* ], German philosopher
* ], French thinker
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], Japanese philosopher and scholar
* ], English philosopher
* ], American deist
* ], English bishop and editor
* ], German writer, Jewish theologian, and educator
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], French writer and philosopher
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], Japanese scholar and translator
* ], Swedish scientist, thinker and mystic
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], German philosopher and jurist
* ], Ukrainian rabbi
* ], Arab Islamic theologian and founder of Wahhabism
* ], Archbishop of Canterbury
* ], English theologian, founder of Methodism
* ], German religious writer and bishop

===Scientists, researchers===
]]]
]]]
* ], physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet, and Jesuit
* ], Italian mathematician<ref name="Schiebinger">{{cite book | author=Porter, Roy (Editor)| title=The Cambridge History of Science, Volume 4: The Eighteenth Century (The Cambridge History of Science) |publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2003 | isbn=0521572436 | oclc=123123201 }}, "The Philosopher's Beard: Women and Gender in Science" by Londra Schiebinger, pages 184-210</ref>
* ], French mathematician, physicist and encyclopedist
* ], English botanist
* ], Italian scientist, the first European female college teacher<ref name="Schiebinger" />
* ], Swiss mathematician and physicist
* ], Swedish astronomer
* ], French mathematician
* ], English navigator, explorer and cartographer
* ], Ecuadorian scientist
* ], Swiss mathematician
* ], German physicist and engineer
* ], Scottish physician and chemist
* ], German mathematician, physicist and astronomer
* ], English historian
* ], English inventor of vaccination
* ], English philologist
* ], Italian-French mathematician and physicist
* ], French physicist and mathematician
* ], French chemist
* ], Scottish economist
* ], Chinese scholar and mathematician
* ], French mathematician
* ] (''Carl von Linné''), Swedish biologist
* ], Russian scientist
* ], Irish literary scholar
* ], English economist
* ], dissenting minister and chemist
* ], civil engineer and physicist
* ], Scottish economist and philosopher
* ], Spanish scientist and explorer
* ], Scottish scientist and inventor
* ], English geologist
* ], Chinese mathematician, geographer, phonologist and philosopher

== Inventions, discoveries, introductions ==
{{main|Timeline of historic inventions#18th century|Timeline_of_scientific_discoveries#18th_century}}
]]]
] of ], completed in 1771, during the reign of the ].]]
* ]: The first ] was built by ] * ]: The first ] was built by ]
* ]: The ] invented by John Shore * ]: ] was invented by ]
* ]: The ] invented by ] * ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: The ] by ] * ]: ] by ]
* ]: The ] was successfully tested by ], sustainable to a depth of 55 ft * ]: ] was successfully tested by ], sustainable to a depth of 55&nbsp;ft
* c. ]: The ] navigational tool was developed by ] in England, and ] in ] * c. ]: ] navigational tool was developed by ] in England, and ] in America
* ]: ] invented by ] * ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: Europeans discovered ] – the discovery was made by ] while on expedition in ]. It was named in ] by ] * ]: Europeans encountered ] – the discovery was made by ] while on expedition in South America. It was named in ] by ]
* c. ]: Modern ] was developed by ] * c. ]: Modern ] was developed by ]
* ]: ] discovered ] * ]: ] discovers Alaska
* ]: The ] invented by ] was the first electrical ] * ]: ] invented by ] was the first electrical ]
* ]: The ] invented by ] * ]: ] perfects the first precision ]
* ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: The tallest ''wooden'' ] statue in the world is erected at ], ], China.
* ]: The first ] to be built in the New World (North America) was invented by ].
* ]: The ] created by ] brought on the ]
* ]: The tallest ''wooden'' ] statue in the world is erected at ], ], China.
* ]: ] enhances Newcomen's steam engine, allowing new ] technologies
* ]: ] created by ] brought on the ]
* ]: The problem of ] was finally resolved by the fourth ] of ]
* ]: ] enhances Newcomen's steam engine, allowing new ] technologies
* ]–]: ] mapped the boundaries of the ] and discovered many ]
* ]: The problem of ] was finally resolved by the fourth ] of ]
* ]: The enormous ] complex of ], China is completed
* ]: ] publishes first version of ], paving the way for ]
* ]–]: The ] huge literary compilation ]
* ]–]: ] mapped the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean and discovered many ]
* ]: ] discovers "dephlogisticated air" Oxygen
* ]: ] first synthesis of "phlogisticated nitrous air" Nitrous Oxide "laughing gas" * ]: ] discovers "dephlogisticated air", oxygen
] of ], completed in 1771, during the reign of the ].]]
* ]: The ] invented by ]
* ]: Joseph Priestley's first synthesis of "phlogisticated nitrous air", ], "laughing gas"
* ]: The ] invented by ]
* ]: First improved steam engines installed by ]
* ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: ] invented by Samuel Miller
* ]: ] was first discovered by ] * ]: ] was first discovered by ]
* ]: The ] invented by ] * ]: ] announces discovery of Uranus
* ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: The ] invented by ]<ref>, ]</ref>
* ]: ] invented by ]<ref>, ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807163707/http://corporate.britannica.com/press/inventions.html |date=August 7, 2008 }}</ref>
* ]: The ] invented by ]
* ]: The ] invented by ] * ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: The ] invented by ] * ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: ] invented by ]
* ]: ] discovers ]
* ]: ] discovers the law of conservation of mass, the basis for chemistry, and begins modern chemistry * ]: ] discovers the law of conservation of mass, the basis for chemistry, and begins modern chemistry
* ]: ] publishes a treatise about ] ] * ]: ] publishes a treatise about ] ]
* ]: The ] invented by ]<ref>Meggs, Philip B. A History of Graphic Design. (1998) John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p 146 ISBN 0-471-291-98-6</ref> * ]: The ] invented by ]<ref>Meggs, Philip B. A History of Graphic Design. (1998) John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p 146 {{ISBN|978-0-471-29198-5}}</ref>
* ]: ] discovered by ]'s troops * ]: ] discovered by ]'s troops


==Literary achievements== ==Literary and philosophical achievements==
{{main|18th century in literature|18th century in philosophy}}
]]]
* ]: '']'' by ] first performed
* ]–]: '']'' translated into French by ]. The work becomes immensely popular throughout Europe.
* ]: '']'' by ] first published
* ]: '']'' by ] (publication of first version)
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: ''The New Science'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] (publication of first version)
* ]: '']'' becomes one of the first ] * ]: '']'' becomes one of the first ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' (''The Treasury of Loyal Retainers''), popular Japanese ], composed
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]–]: The French ] * ]: '']'' by ] published
* ]–]: The French ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: ''Arithmetika Horvatzka'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]–]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] first published
* ]: {{Lang|ja-latn|]}} (''Tales of Moonlight and Rain'') by ]
* ]: '']'', foundation of the modern theory of economy, was published by ] * ]: '']'', foundation of the modern theory of economy, was published by ]
* ]-]: '']'' was published by ] * ]–]: '']'' was published by ]
* ]: '']'' published by ] * ]: '']'' published by ]
* ]-]: '']'' by ] * ]–]: '']'' by ]
* ]-]: '']'' by ], ], and ] * ]: '']'' by ] (publication of first edition)
* ]: '']'' by ] first published
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]–]: '']'' by ], ], and ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] * ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' by ] and ]
* ]: '']'' published by ] * ]: '']'' published by ]
* (mid–18th century): '']'' (authorship attributed to ]), one of the most famous Chinese novels


== References == ==Musical works==
* ]: '']'', ]'s first opera for the London stage, premiered
{{Reflist|2}}
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'', violin concertos by ], composed
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'' composed by ]
* ]: '']'' is composed by ] for the coronation of ]. It has been performed at every subsequent British coronation.
* ]: '']'', first opera by ]
* ]: '']'' for ] published by ]
* ]: '']'', oratorio by ] premiered in ]
* ]: '']'' by ] assembled in current form
* ]: '']'' by ]
* ]: '']'', first "reform opera" by ], performed in ]
* ]: '']'', opera by ]
* ]: '']'', opera by ]
* ]: ''] (Symphony No. 41)'' composed by ]
* ]: '']'', opera by ]
* ]–]: ] by ]
* ]: The ], piano sonata by ]
* ]: '']'', oratorio by ] first performed


==References==
==Decades and years==
{{DecadesAndYears}} {{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Black, Jeremy and Roy Porter, eds. ''A Dictionary of Eighteenth-Century World History'' (1994) 890pp
* Klekar, Cynthia. "Fictions of the Gift: Generosity and Obligation in Eighteenth-Century English Literature." Innovative Course Design Winner. ''American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies'': Wake Forest University, 2004. <>. Refereed.
* Langer, William. ''An Encyclopedia of World History'' (5th ed. 1973); highly detailed outline of events
* Morris, Richard B. and Graham W. Irwin, eds. ''Harper Encyclopedia of the Modern World: A Concise Reference History from 1760 to the Present'' (1970)
* Milward, Alan S, and S. B. Saul, eds. ''The economic development of continental Europe: 1780–1870 '' (1973) ; note there are two different books with identical authors and slightly different titles. Their coverfage does not overlap.
** Milward, Alan S, and S. B. Saul, eds. ''The development of the economies of continental Europe, 1850–1914'' (1977)
* ], London, houses one of the finest collections of 18th-century decorative arts from France, England and Italy, including paintings, furniture, porcelain and gold boxes.

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}

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Latest revision as of 00:07, 17 December 2024

One hundred years, from 1701 to 1800 For other uses, see 18th century (disambiguation).
Millennium
2nd millennium
Centuries
Timelines
State leaders
Decades
Categories:
Births – Deaths
Establishments – Disestablishments
Political boundaries at the beginning of year 1700
Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789, an iconic event of the French Revolution.
Development of the Watt steam engine in the late 18th century was an important element in the Industrial Revolution in Europe.
The American Revolutionary War took place in the late 18th century.

The 18th century lasted from 1 January 1701 (represented by the Roman numerals MDCCI) to 31 December 1800 (MDCCC). During the 18th century, elements of Enlightenment thinking culminated in the Atlantic Revolutions. Revolutions began to challenge the legitimacy of monarchical and aristocratic power structures. The Industrial Revolution began during mid-century, leading to radical changes in human society and the environment. The European colonization of the Americas and other parts of the world intensified and associated mass migrations of people grew in size as part of the Age of Sail. During the century, slave trading expanded across the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, while declining in Russia and China.

Western historians have occasionally defined the 18th century otherwise for the purposes of their work. For example, the "short" 18th century may be defined as 1715–1789, denoting the period of time between the death of Louis XIV of France and the start of the French Revolution, with an emphasis on directly interconnected events. To historians who expand the century to include larger historical movements, the "long" 18th century may run from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 or even later.

In Europe, philosophers ushered in the Age of Enlightenment. This period coincided with the French Revolution of 1789, and was later compromised by the excesses of the Reign of Terror. At first, many monarchies of Europe embraced Enlightenment ideals, but in the wake of the French Revolution they feared loss of power and formed broad coalitions to oppose the French Republic in the French Revolutionary Wars. Various conflicts throughout the century, including the War of the Spanish Succession and the Seven Years' War, saw Great Britain triumph over its rivals to become the preeminent power in Europe. However, Britain's attempts to exert its authority over the Thirteen Colonies became a catalyst for the American Revolution. The 18th century also marked the end of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as an independent state. Its semi-democratic government system was not robust enough to prevent partition by the neighboring states of Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

In West Asia, Nader Shah led Persia in successful military campaigns. The Ottoman Empire experienced an unprecedented period of peace and economic expansion, taking no part in European wars from 1740 to 1768. As a result, the empire was not exposed to Europe's military improvements during the Seven Years' War. The Ottoman military consequently lagged behind and suffered several defeats against Russia in the second half of the century.

In South Asia, the death of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was followed by the expansion of the Maratha Confederacy and an increasing level of European influence and control in the region. In 1739, Persian emperor Nader Shah invaded and plundered Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire. Later, his general Ahmad Shah Durrani scored another victory against the Marathas, the then dominant power in India, in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. By the middle of the century, the British East India Company began to conquer eastern India, and by the end of the century, the Anglo-Mysore Wars against Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali, led to Company rule over the south.

In East Asia, the century marked the High Qing era and experienced relative peace and prosperity. Conversely, the continual seclusion policy of the Tokugawa shogunate also brought Pax Tokugawa. In Southeast Asia, the Konbaung–Ayutthaya Wars and the Tây Sơn Wars broke out while the Dutch East India Company established increasing levels of control over the Mataram Sultanate.

In Africa, the Ethiopian Empire underwent the Zemene Mesafint, a period when the country was ruled by a class of regional noblemen and the emperor was merely a figurehead. The Atlantic slave trade also saw the continued involvement of states such as the Oyo Empire. In Oceania, the European colonization of Australia and New Zealand began during the late half of the century. In the Americas, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. In 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first president. Benjamin Franklin traveled to Europe where he was hailed as an inventor. Examples of his inventions include the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. Túpac Amaru II led an uprising that sought to end Spanish colonial rule in Peru.

Events

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the 18th century. See also: Georgian era

1701–1750

Europe at the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession, 1700
The Battle of Poltava in 1709 turned the Russian Empire into a European power.
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah with the Persian invader Nader Shah.
Qianlong Emperor
The extinction of the Scottish clan system came with the defeat of the clansmen at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

1751–1800

Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.
Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Inventions, discoveries, and introductions

Main articles: Timeline of historic inventions § 18th century, and Timeline of scientific discoveries § 18th century
The spinning jenny
The Chinese Putuo Zongcheng Temple of Chengde, completed in 1771, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.

Literary and philosophical achievements

Main articles: 18th century in literature and 18th century in philosophy

Musical works

References

  1. Volkov, Sergey. Concise History of Imperial Russia.
  2. Rowe, William T. China's Last Empire.
  3. Anderson, M. S. (1979). Historians and Eighteenth-Century Europe, 1715–1789. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-822548-5. OCLC 185538307.
  4. Ribeiro, Aileen (2002). Dress in Eighteenth-Century Europe 1715–1789 (revised ed.). Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-09151-9. OCLC 186413657.
  5. Baines, Paul (2004). The Long 18th Century. London: Arnold. ISBN 978-0-340-81372-0.
  6. Marshall, P. J., ed. (2001). The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume II: The Eighteenth Century (Oxford History of the British Empire). Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-924677-9. OCLC 174866045., "Introduction" by P. J. Marshall, page 1
  7. O'Gorman, Frank (1997). The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688–1832 (The Arnold History of Britain Series). A Hodder Arnold Publication. ISBN 978-0-340-56751-7. OCLC 243883533.
  8. ^ Chandra, Bipin. Mordern India. India.
  9. Campbell, John; Watts, William (1760). Memoirs of the Revolution in Bengal, anno Dom. 1757. A. Millar, London.
  10. Parthasarathi, Prasannan (2011), Why Europe Grew Rich and Asia Did Not: Global Economic Divergence, 1600–1850, Cambridge University Press, p. 207, ISBN 978-1-139-49889-0
  11. Allana, Gulam (1988). Muslim political thought through the ages: 1562–1947 (2 ed.). Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania: Royal Book Company. p. 78. ISBN 9789694070919. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  12. "War of the Spanish Succession, 1701–1714". Historyofwar.org. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  13. Ricklefs (1991), page 82
  14. Historic uk – heritage of britain accommodation guide (3 May 2007). "The history of Scotland – The Act of Union 1707". Historic-uk.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  15. Ricklefs (1991), page 84
  16. "Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to History". Britannica.com. 31 January 1910. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  17. "List of Wars of the Crimean Tatars". Zum.de. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  18. "Len Milich: Anthropogenic Desertification vs 'Natural' Climate Trends". Ag.arizona.edu. 10 August 1997. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  19. Wadsworth, Alfred P.; Mann, Julia De Lacy (1931). The Cotton Trade and Industrial Lancashire, 1600–1780. Manchester University Press. p. 433. OCLC 2859370.
  20. "A guide to Scottish clans". Unique-cottages.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  21. "Saudi Arabia – The Saud Family and Wahhabi Islam". Countrystudies.us. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  22. "History". Columbia University.
  23. Ricklefs (1991), page 102
  24. "Sufism in the Caucasus". Islamicsupremecouncil.org. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  25. "Table A – Verified Supercentenarians (Listed Chronologically By Birth Date)". Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  26. Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born before 1850, as of May 17, 2019
  27. Balfour-Pau, Glen (20 December 2005). Bagpipes in Babylon: A Lifetime in the Arab World and Beyond. I.B.Tauris, 2006. ISBN 9781845111519.
  28. "The Harvey Family". Priaulx Library. 2005. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013.
  29. "Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793". EyeWitness to History. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2007.
  30. Riedel S (2005). "Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination". Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 18 (1): 21–5. doi:10.1080/08998280.2005.11928028. PMC 1200696. PMID 16200144.
  31. Ricklefs (1991), page 106
  32. Encyclopædia Britannica's Great Inventions, Encyclopædia Britannica Archived August 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  33. Meggs, Philip B. A History of Graphic Design. (1998) John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p 146 ISBN 978-0-471-29198-5

Further reading

  • Black, Jeremy and Roy Porter, eds. A Dictionary of Eighteenth-Century World History (1994) 890pp
  • Klekar, Cynthia. "Fictions of the Gift: Generosity and Obligation in Eighteenth-Century English Literature." Innovative Course Design Winner. American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies: Wake Forest University, 2004. <Home | American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ASECS)>. Refereed.
  • Langer, William. An Encyclopedia of World History (5th ed. 1973); highly detailed outline of events online free
  • Morris, Richard B. and Graham W. Irwin, eds. Harper Encyclopedia of the Modern World: A Concise Reference History from 1760 to the Present (1970) online
  • Milward, Alan S, and S. B. Saul, eds. The economic development of continental Europe: 1780–1870 (1973) online; note there are two different books with identical authors and slightly different titles. Their coverfage does not overlap.
    • Milward, Alan S, and S. B. Saul, eds. The development of the economies of continental Europe, 1850–1914 (1977) online
  • The Wallace Collection, London, houses one of the finest collections of 18th-century decorative arts from France, England and Italy, including paintings, furniture, porcelain and gold boxes.

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