The Age of Enlightenment - Essay Example

Enlightened Politics, for the most part, was manifested in ‘Enlightened Despots’ in Europe, whose power rested not on divine right, but on the necessity of orderly government for the welfare of the people. Frederick the Great of Prussia introduced greater religious freedom, spurred economic improvements, and codified the legal system. Joseph II of Austria also embarked on state-sponsored improvements and curtailed the powers of the Catholic Church.POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY BRITAINIn the eighteenth century, the Industrial Revolution saw Britain emerge as a global power, with distinctive advantages over the continental states.

A major factor was British success in building up large colonies, particularly in the East and West Indies, and North America, which provided goods for trade with continental Europe and also a market for domestic goods. The stability of overseas trade was guaranteed by Britain’s naval power, which prevented war-time disruptions, unlike France. Population growth and urbanization, and rising standards of living led to increased mass consumption and encouraged mass production. In contrast to the ancien regime and feudal structure prevalent in continental Europe, Britain’s prosperous middle class participated in the political and economic system.

An emerging democracy and the curtailment of absolute monarchial influence over property promoted economic growth. Britain’s transport network was more advanced than that of the continent. This facilitated the cheap transport of the products of the Industrial Revolution. Britain’s Agricultural Revolution converted small family landholdings, or subsistence agriculture, into large scale capital-intensive farming for market production. Resources moved from agriculture into industry, in contrast to Britain’s continental rivals, who persisted with small family farms.

Britain’s nation-wide network of banks, including the Central Bank of England and private banks, mobilized funds and credit for industry, unlike in the continent. Finally, Britain’s higher literacy and numeracy levels, natural resources like metals, and an advantageous government policy of encouraging private mercantile and shipping NAPOLEON AND THE IDEALS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.Napoleon may be considered both the defender and the destroyer of the Revolutionary ideals of liberty, fraternity, and equality.

His greatest contribution was the Napoleonic code, which struck a decisive blow for equality. All men were equal in the eyes of the law and the government and were taxed equally. His new aristocratic order was based on merit, not on birth. The code also granted freedom to choose one’s occupation. All careers were open to men of talent. Although he had a concordat with the Pope, he continued the revolutionary ideal by subordinating the church to the state and abolished the church’s right to privileges and taxes, and it's right to run schools.

His tolerance of all religions was a liberal ideal. The ideal of the fraternity was best embodied in Napoleon’s army, which was built on nationalism and loyalty. Feudalism was abolished in all the conquered countries, although the land was not granted to the peasants. The system of education was improved, with public schools for ordinary citizens. At the same time, he was a destroyer of some revolutionary ideas by assuming a dictatorship, limiting personal freedom and speech, censorship of the press, discriminating against women, granting a privileged position to members of his family, and ruthlessly suppressing political rivals.