1. Diplomacy and War

2. Commercial competition led to war in the18th century
England vs. France
Austria vs. Prussia
Two rivalries stood at the center of diplomacy and war in the middle of the century

3. Louis XV and Cardinal Fleury
Louis XV became king of France at the age of 5
For years, France was ruled as a regency
The Parlement of Paris claimed the power to assent to legislation and taxes

4. Making matters workse was the attitude and habits of Louis XV
The landed and commercial classes both increased their power in France between 1715 and 1789
Government debt led to an unintended crisis in public finance
France lagged behind in the development of credit institutions and the ability to borrow money

5. Great Britain
Britain developed a unique form of government known as the “King in Parliament”
Worked through Parliament and a Prime Minister to pass legislation and govern

6. Without an heir, England turned to the German Hanoverian dynasty
The dynasty was able to establish a functioning government system by relying on a prime minister and cabinet system
Major reason for Britain’s commercial success was the close relationship between government finance and private enterprise

7. Under the leadership of the prime minister, Britain was able to continue the development of its public finance
Development of Britain’s cabinet system of government was due to Robert Walpole
Appointed ministers to head up government agencies

8. He selected commercial-orientated Whigs personally loyal to him
Notion of the cabinet as a group bound to each other with a common goal
Walpole to advance Britain’s commercial interests abroad while avoiding war

9. 18th c. Warfare
War was waged between highly trained professional armies for specific strategic objectives
Soldiers were drawn from the underclass and less productive groups in society
Aristocracy made up the officers

10. Warfare became a game of movement and securing supply lines
Infantry played a major role in war

11. The War of Austrian Succession
Began with an attack by Frederick II on Austria
Other nations rushed in to claim territorial prizes
The French joined the assault in an alliance with Prussia
Britain sided with Austria

13. Frederick proved to be a military genius, and sought the resource rich province of Silesia
Though Maria Theresa lost Silesia, she was, by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, able to hold most of her other possessions

14. War of Austrian Succession highlighted two issues
France sat in an unfavorable strategic position
Austria and Prussia coexisted as two relatively even powers in Germany

15. Reforms of Maria Theresa
Began a series of reforms in 1748
Centralized the collection of taxes and combined administrative offices
Army tripled in size
Schools were founded

16. Promoted primary education
Promoted a smallpox vaccine
Outlawed torture and capital punishment
Eased the burdens of serfdom
Primary goal was to recapture Silesia
Convinced France to ally with Austria, which Russia also joined
Forced Britain to side with Prussia

17. The Seven Years War Prussia was outnumbered 10 to 1
Frederick fought brilliantly
Britain provided primarily financial support
Frederick was aided by the disorganization of his opponents
Frederick was able to hold onto Silesia

18. Fighting between Britain and France was more decisive
Britain won victories on land and sea in North America, the Caribbean and India
France found itself depleted
G.B. secured sole access to North America east of the Mississippi River and gained dominant position in India

19. Major events on 3 continents
North America – colonists were free of the French threat but the British were determined to make them pay the costs of the empire
Europe – confirmed dualism of Prussia and Austria – set stage for French Revolution

20. Asia – Britain oversaw the dissolution of the ruling Indian empire and established a strong colonial presence