Historical Definitions: Europe's Transformative Eras

Old Regime: Europe's 18th-Century System

The Old Regime was the political, social, and economic system prevalent in Europe during the 18th century. This society was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy (estates), an agrarian economy, and absolute monarchical rule.

Nationalism: Ideology of National Identity

Nationalism is a political ideology advocating for the right of nations to self-determination and to form their own independent states. It asserts that people sharing a common language, religion, and history constitute a distinct nation.

Liberalism: Championing Individual Rights

Liberalism is a political ideology that champions individual rights and liberties, typically protected by a constitution, as a safeguard against the absolute power of a monarch or state.

Maximilien Robespierre: Jacobin Leader

Maximilien Robespierre was a prominent leader of the Jacobins during the French Revolution. He was a key figure in the Reign of Terror, responsible for sending numerous anti-revolutionary individuals to the guillotine.

The Enlightenment: Age of Reason and Critique

The Enlightenment was an influential intellectual movement that swept across Europe in the 18th century. It critically examined the Old Regime and absolutism, emphasizing reason, knowledge, and education. This philosophical shift was a significant precursor to the French Revolution.

Anarchism and Marxism: Ideologies of Social Change

While sharing some ultimate goals, Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the absence of all forms of hierarchical authority, including the state. Anarchists believe society should be organized through voluntary associations of individuals. In contrast, Marxism posits that history is driven by class struggle between oppressors and oppressed, particularly in industrial societies. Karl Marx proposed a revolutionary overthrow of capitalism to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, ultimately aiming for a classless, communist society.

Suffrage: The Right to Vote

Suffrage refers to the fundamental right to vote in political elections.

The Transatlantic Triangular Trade

The Triangular Trade was a transatlantic trade route that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas. European ships transported goods of little value to Africa, where they were exchanged for enslaved people. These enslaved individuals were then forcibly transported across the Atlantic to the Americas and sold. The ships would then return to Europe laden with raw materials like cotton and sugar, completing the triangular journey.

The Industrial Revolution: Economic and Social Transformation

The Industrial Revolution marked a period of profound economic and social transformation, primarily driven by the widespread adoption of machinery in production. This era saw agrarian and rural societies evolve into urbanized industrial centers. These groundbreaking changes originated in Britain during the second half of the 18th century.