Key Events of the Enlightenment Era

Key Historical Events and Figures

• Diderot’s Encyclopedia was published in 1751, marking a significant contribution to the Enlightenment by compiling knowledge across various disciplines and promoting rational thought.

• Frederick the Great was crowned King of Prussia in 1740. His reign is noted for military victories, territorial expansion, and leading Prussia toward becoming a major European power.

• The British Colonies declared independence from England in 1776, resulting in the formation of the United States and a shift in the balance of power.

• The French Revolution began in 1789, fundamentally altering France's political landscape and inspiring revolutionary ideas worldwide, focusing on liberty, equality, and fraternity.

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau published The Social Contract in 1762, introducing concepts about the political and social agreement between individuals and the state, influencing democratic ideas.

• Catherine the Great ascended to power in Russia in 1762 following her husband’s death, becoming one of Russia's most influential leaders, known for westernizing the nation and expanding its territory.

• Adam Smith's influential economic work, The Wealth of Nations, was published in 1776, advocating for free market principles and laying the groundwork for modern economics.

• Montesquieu published The Spirit of Laws in 1748. This work examined various government forms and promoted the idea of separation of powers, which has become foundational in modern democracies.