18th Century European History

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Questions and Answers

What was the significant difference between the Union of 1603 and the Union of 1707?

The Union of 1603 was a union of kingdoms, while the Union of 1707 was a personal union

The Union of 1603 was a real union, while the Union of 1707 was a personal union

The Union of 1603 was a personal union, while the Union of 1707 was a union of kingdoms (correct)

The Union of 1603 was a personal union, while the Union of 1707 was a union of crowns

What was the main reason for the union between England and Scotland in 1707?

To abolish the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

To establish a strong economic partnership

To create a unified political regime (correct)

To create a strong military alliance

What was the outcome of the Union of 1707?

The abolition of the English Parliament at Westminster

The creation of a new and truly British Parliament (correct)

The formation of a new Scottish state

The formation of a new French state

What was the characteristic of the Anglo-Scottish union of 1707?

A partnership forged between two formally equal kingdoms Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the 18th century, as a reaction to the extremism of the 17th century?

Politeness in manners and moderation in views Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the joint British interest in trade, commerce, and empire-building?

A series of wars with France, most of which were won by Britain Signup and view all the answers

What were the key institutions retained by the Scots after the Union of 1707?

The Scottish legal system, the Church of Scotland, the Electoral system, the Education system, and the Scottish system of local government Signup and view all the answers

When did the Union of 1707 come into force?

1 May 1707 Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that contributed to the formation of a British identity in the 18th century?

Protestantism and the war against Catholic France Signup and view all the answers

How did British attitudes towards the French Revolution change over time?

They turned more negative following the radical turn of events in 1792 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805?

It was a British victory over the combined French-Spanish fleet Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Society of United Irishmen during the Rebellion of 1798?

To overthrow the British government in Ireland Signup and view all the answers

Why did the British government propose the Union of 1801 with Ireland?

To prevent further rebellion in Ireland Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Rebellion of 1798 in Ireland?

The rebellion was defeated, and the Irish expeditionary force surrendered to the British Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the resignation of Prime Minister William Pitt in 1801?

He was opposed to Catholic emancipation Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the new state formed on 1 January 1801?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind the series of conflicts between Britain and France during the 'Second Hundred Years War'?

Rivalry for trade and colonies Signup and view all the answers

Which war marked the peak of the 'Second Hundred Years War'?

Seven Years War Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the American War of Independence?

British defeat and colonies gained independence Signup and view all the answers

Who succeeded to the throne of England in 1714?

George of Hanover Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant achievement of Sir Robert Walpole?

He combined the support of the King, Court, and Parliament to establish himself as first minister Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the post of the First Lord of the Treasury in the British government?

It was the leader of the Cabinet and eventually referred to as the Prime Minister Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Jacobites and what did they seek?

They were supporters of the exiled Stuarts and sought their restoration to the throne Signup and view all the answers

How many larger Jacobite rebellions were staged by James II and his direct descendants?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion led by Charles Edward Stuart?

The rebellion was well-prepared, but ultimately failed to gain significant support in England Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of Culloden in 1746?

It marked the end of the Jacobite rebellion and the final defeat of the Stuarts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Eighteenth Century

The eighteenth century was marked by two unions and was a less turbulent century compared to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Two central themes of the century were the development of a stable political regime and commercial rivalry with France.

The Union of Parliaments (1707)

The Union of Parliaments in 1707 was a union of kingdoms, or 'real' union, where a new state was forged: Great Britain.
The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh voted to abolish itself, and in return, the Scots obtained representation in the English Parliament at Westminster.
The union came into force on 1 May 1707.
Unlike the Anglo-Welsh union of 1536, the Anglo-Scottish union of 1707 was a partnership between two formally equal kingdoms.
The Scots retained key institutions, including:
- The Scottish legal system
- The Church of Scotland
- The Electoral system
- The Education system
- The Scottish system of local government
- The Scottish banks and banking system

A ‘Polite & Commercial People’

The eighteenth century was a reaction to the extremism of the 17th century, focusing on politeness in manners and moderation in views.
This was linked to the emerging Enlightenment philosophy and its emphasis on reason.
Joint British interest in trade, commerce, and empire-building led to a series of wars with France, most of which were won by Britain.

A Century of Wars with France

The 'Second Hundred Years War' was a series of conflicts between Britain and France, mainly over trade and colonies.
The wars began with the Nine Years War (1689-1697) and reached a peak with the Seven Years War (1756-1763).
The American Revolution (1776) and the American War of Independence (1776-1783) led to British defeat and the colonies in North America gaining independence.

The Hanoverian Succession and Parliamentary Government

In 1714, George of Hanover succeeded to the throne upon the death of Queen Anne Stuart.
The First Lord of the Treasury became a permanent post, and whoever held the post led the Cabinet when the King was away.
Sir Robert Walpole, First Lord of the Treasury from 1715-1717 and 1721-1742, established himself as the first minister in an unprecedented manner.
Walpole ensured that the government had the backing of a majority in Parliament, setting a standard for the British political system.

Jacobitism

The Jacobites were supporters of the exiled Stuarts and sought their restoration to the throne.
Three larger Jacobite rebellions were staged by James II and his direct descendants:
- 1690: James II's invasion of Ireland, defeated by William III at the Battle of the Boyne River.
- 1715: James Edward Stuart's rebellion, easily defeated.
- 1745: Charles Edward Stuart's rebellion, brought to an end at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The Forging of a British Identity

The 'Colley thesis' suggests that a new and genuinely British identity was 'forged' over the course of the 18th century, based on:
- Protestantism
- War against Catholic France
- Empire
- Monarchy
- England vs Scotland
- British ruling class
- Patriotism

French Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars

The French Revolution in 1789 was initially welcomed in Britain, but attitudes turned negative following the 'radical turn' of events in France.
Britain was drawn into the war against the French Republic in 1793, with the war going badly for the British.
The Peace of Amiens (1802) was a brief respite, but the war resumed with Napoleon's rise to power.
Britain eventually emerged victorious, with the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).

The Union of 1801

The Rebellion of 1798, instigated by the Society of United Irishmen, posed a serious threat to British rule in Ireland.
The rebellion was defeated, and a proposal for the forming of a union between Great Britain and Ireland was set forward.
On 1 January 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed, but full emancipation for Catholics was resisted by George III.

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Description

Learn about the significant events and themes of the 18th century, including the Union of Parliaments in 1707 and commercial rivalry with France.