The 18th century in Russia can be considered a century of revolutions, which, of course, were not easy. This is the time of the reign of the great Peter I, who tried to change Russia in a short period of time. Let's consider how Europe influenced Russia during this period. The 18th century changed Peter I’s view of governing the state, which entailed a number of reforms that subsequently contributed to the development of Russia.

Reforms of Great Peter I

  • Peter was the first to decide to disband the Streltsy army; for that time it was savagery, because to replace the army he created a mercenary army, which was not only dressed in European standard uniforms, but was also under the command of foreign officers.
  • Peter I also transferred the state to a new chronology. The old was then carried on from the time of the creation of the world, and the new began to be carried out from the Nativity of Christ, it was then that the Russian people began to celebrate the New Year.
  • Peter the First was very wise, he knew that the Russian Empire needed a fleet, and decided to oblige every 10 thousand households to build one ship, as a result, the Russian Empire became the owner of a large fleet.
  • Peter I also carried out an urban reform, which meant the introduction of self-government in cities Russian Empire. The emperor placed burgomasters at the head of each city.

XVIII: what century is this?

Also in the 18th century, the Russian state was ruled by Catherine the Great, during whose reign serfdom was strengthened, and a lot of blood was shed during the peasant wars. Catherine the Great was intensely involved in pursuing noble policy, so the 18th century, or more precisely the 34 years of Catherine II’s reign, went down in history as the “golden age of the nobility.”

There are many opinions about what the 18th century was like. Some historians call this century merciless and this is quite natural in connection with the facts described above, while others consider the 18th century a time of enlightenment, because it was at this time that mass educational institutions, which include the Academy of Arts and Moscow University.

Also, the art of the 18th century was especially distinguished, because it was at this time that the first theater appeared. It is worth noting that it was the second half of the 18th century that can be called the heyday of Russian painting. Portraiture was especially popular then, perhaps this was due to the fact that many authoritative figures sought to immortalize their faces on the canvases of artists.

18th century artists

  • F. S. Rokotov is one of the famous artists of the 18th century; he immortalized on canvas many portraits of influential people of that time.
  • D. G. Levitsky was also a portrait artist.
  • V. L. Borovikovsky was a famous artist of that time who painted portraits, landscapes and genre scenes.

Also, Russian literature of the 18th century, the main direction of which was classicism, occupied a worthy place in the history of this period of time. The most important place in literature at that time was occupied by such genres as satires, comedies, dramatic tragedies and poetic odes. Books of the 18th century were distinguished by the special irony that their authors endowed. They reflected the life of that time and its features.

Architecture of the 18th century also occupied an important place in history, characterized by the Baroque style in the mid-18th century and classicism in the second half of the 18th century. Many historical architectural structures were erected, such as: Winter Palace, Grand Catherine Palace and Grand Palace in Peterhof.

18th century architects

Consider the outstanding and talented architects of that distant time. From them we have left many cultural monuments as our heritage.

  • Bartolomeo Rastrelli is a native of Italy who erected many buildings in the Baroque style.
  • V.I. Bazhenov was the largest architect of that time, who gave preference to classicism in his creations.
  • M.F. Kazakov is a famous architect of the second half of the 18th century, who also preferred to adhere to classicism in his projects.

It is impossible to tell about everything that happened in the 18th century, but we can say with confidence that it was this time in history that left a huge imprint not only on the past, but also on the future of Russia.

So, now you know what an important role the 18th century played in the history of Russia. Also, after reading this article, you learned about the features visual arts, architecture of the time, and the influence of the 18th century on modern world. This will help you be more educated and better understand the history of our Motherland. We wish you good luck!

2nd millennium BC e. 20th century BC e. 19th century BC e. XVIII century BC e. 17th century BC e. 16th century BC e. 1809 1808 1807 1806 ... Wikipedia

Series of commemorative coins of the Bank of Russia “The Age of Enlightenment. XVIII century" Main article: Commemorative coins of Russia Contents 1 The Age of Enlightenment. XVIII century 1.1 3 rubles Trinity Cathedral ... Wikipedia

3 thousand years BC - XVIII century AD- 3 thousand years BC 18th century AD XIX century 1900 1950 1950 1980 1980 2000 XXI century About 3 thousand years BC. The ancient Egyptians, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia and the inhabitants of the states of the Middle East collected... Oil and Gas Microencyclopedia

1702, October. The capture of the Noteburg (Oreshek) fortress by Russian troops during the Northern War. 1702 1704. Revolt of the Camisards in the province of Languedoc (France). 1702 1714. Reign in England of Queen Anne, the last of the Stuart dynasty. 1703, April.… … encyclopedic Dictionary

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2nd millennium XVI century XVII century XVIII century XIX century XX century 1690s 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 ... Wikipedia

2nd millennium XVI century XVII century XVIII century XIX century XX century 1690s 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 ... Wikipedia

2nd millennium XVI century XVII century XVIII century XIX century XX century 1690s 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 ... Wikipedia

Books

  • , Pakhsaryan N.. The authors of the articles making up the sections of the monograph represent various aspects emotional life of the “age of reason”, embodied in philosophical writings, poetry, drama, prose, as well as ...
  • XVIII century: laughter and tears in the literature and art of the era of enlightenment, N. Pakhsaryan. The authors of the articles that make up the sections of the monograph present various aspects of the emotional life of the “age of reason”, embodied in philosophical works, poetry, drama, prose, as well as ...

XVIIIA CENTURY IN WORLD HISTORY

Section 4.2.XVIIIcentury in world history:

Mishina I.A., Zharova L.N. Europe on the path of modernization

social and spiritual life. Character traits

Age of Enlightenment………………………………………….1

West and East in the 18th century……………………………………9

Mishina I.A., Zharova L.N."Golden Age" of European

absolutism…………………………………………………………….15

I.A. Mishina

L.N.Zharova

Europe is on the path to modernizing social and spiritual life. Characteristics of the Age of Enlightenment

XV-XVII centuries V Western Europe called the Renaissance. However, objectively this era should be characterized as the era of Transition, because it is a bridge to the system of social relations and culture of the New Age. It was during this era that the prerequisites for bourgeois social relations were laid, the relationship between church and state changed, and the worldview of humanism was formed as the basis of a new secular consciousness. The formation of the characteristic features of the modern era was fully realized in the 18th century.

The 18th century in the life of the peoples of Europe and America is a time of greatest cultural, socio-economic and political changes. In historical science, the modern era is usually associated with the establishment of bourgeois relations in Western Europe. Indeed, this is an important socio-economic characteristic of this era. But in modern times, simultaneously with this process, other global processes took place that engulfed the structure of civilization as a whole. The emergence of the New Age in Western Europe meant a civilizational shift: the destruction of the foundations of traditional European civilization and the establishment of a new one. This shift is called modernization.

Modernization is a complex, multifaceted process that took place in Europe over a century and a half and covered all spheres of society. In production, modernization meant industrialization- ever-increasing use of machines. IN social sphere modernization is closely related to urbanization- the unprecedented growth of cities, which led to their predominant position in the economic life of society. In the political sphere, modernization meant democratization political structures, laying the preconditions for the formation of civil society and the rule of law. In the spiritual sphere, modernization is associated with secularization- liberation of all spheres of public and personal life from the tutelage of religion and the church, their secularization, as well as the intensive development of literacy, education, scientific knowledge about nature and society.

All these inextricably linked processes have changed a person’s emotional and psychological attitudes and mentality. The spirit of traditionalism is giving way to attitudes towards change and development. A man of traditional civilization was confident in the stability of the world around him. This world was perceived by him as something unchangeable, existing according to the originally given Divine laws. Man of the New Age believes it is possible to know the laws of nature and society and, on the basis of this knowledge, change nature and society in accordance with his desires and needs.

Government, social structure society is also deprived of divine sanction. They are interpreted as a human product and are subject to change if necessary. It is no coincidence that the New Age is an era of social revolutions, conscious attempts to forcibly reorganize public life. In general, we can say that New Time created a New Man. The man of the New Age, the modernized man, is a mobile personality who quickly adapts to the changes occurring in environment.

The ideological basis for the modernization of public life in modern times was the ideology of the Enlightenment. XVIII century in Europe also called The Age of Enlightenment. Figures of the Enlightenment left a deep mark on philosophy, science, art, literature and politics. They developed a new worldview designed to liberate human thought, free it from the framework of medieval traditionalism.

The philosophical basis of the worldview of the Enlightenment was rationalism. Enlightenment ideologists, reflecting the views and needs of the bourgeoisie in its struggle against feudalism and its spiritual support of the Catholic Church, considered reason as the most important characteristic of a person, a prerequisite and the most vivid manifestation of all his other qualities: freedom, initiative, activity, etc. Man, as a rational being, from the point of view of the Enlightenment, is called upon to reorganize society on reasonable grounds. On this basis, the right of people to social revolution was declared. An essential feature of the ideology of the Enlightenment was noted by F. Engels: “The great people who in France enlightened their heads for the approaching revolution acted in an extremely revolutionary manner. They did not recognize any external authorities of any kind. Religion, understanding of nature, political system - everything had to be subjected to the most merciless criticism, everything had to appear before the court of reason and either justify its existence or abandon it, the thinking mind became the only measure of everything that exists” (Marx K., Engels F. Soch., T.20, p.16).

In terms of civilization, Europe of the 18th century was still an integral entity. The peoples of Europe differed in level economic development, political organization, the nature of culture. Therefore, the ideology of the Enlightenment in each country differed in its own national characteristics.

In the brightest classical forms Enlightenment ideology developed in France. French Enlightenment XVIII V. had a significant impact not only on its own country, but also on a number of other countries. French literature and French became fashionable in Europe, and France became the center of all European intellectual life.

The largest representatives French Enlightenment were: Voltaire (François Marie Arouet), J.-J. Rousseau, C. Montesquieu, P. A. Holbach, C. A. Helvetius, D. Diderot.

Social and political life of France in the 18th century. characterized by large remnants of feudalism. In the struggle with the old aristocracy, the enlighteners could not rely on public opinion, on the government, which was hostile to them. In France they did not have such influence in society as in England and Scotland; they were a kind of “renegades.”

Most prominent figures of the French Enlightenment were persecuted for their beliefs. Denis Diderot was imprisoned in the Château de Vincennes (royal prison), Voltaire in the Bastille, Helvetius was forced to renounce his book “On the Mind.” For censorship reasons, the printing of the famous Encyclopedia, which was published in separate volumes from 1751 to 1772, was repeatedly suspended.

Constant conflicts with the authorities gave French educators a reputation as radicals. For all their radicalism, French enlighteners showed moderation and caution when one of the basic principles on which European statehood was based - the principle of monarchism - was brought up for discussion.

In France, the idea of ​​separation of powers into legislative, executive and judicial was developed by Charles Montesquieu (1689 - 1755). Studying the reasons for the emergence of a particular state system, he argued that the legislation of the country depends on the form of government. He considered the principle of “separation of powers” ​​to be the main means of ensuring the rule of law. Montesquieu believed that the “spirit of laws” of a particular people is determined by objective prerequisites: climate, soil, territory, religion, population, forms of economic activity, etc.

The conflicts between French enlighteners and the Catholic Church were explained by its ideological intransigence and dogmatism, and this excluded the possibility of compromise.

The characteristic features of the Enlightenment, its problems and the very human type of the enlightener: philosopher, writer, public figure - were most clearly embodied in the work and in the very life of Voltaire (1694-1778). His name became, as it were, a symbol of the era, giving the name to a whole ideological movement on a European scale - Voltairianism."

Great place Voltaire's works include historical works: “The History of Charles XII” (1731), “The Age of Louis XIV” (1751), “Russia under Peter the Great” (1759). In the works of Voltaire, the political antagonist of Charles XII is Peter III, a monarch-reformer and educator. For Voltaire, the independent policy of Peter, who limited the powers of the church to purely religious matters, came to the fore. In his book Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations, Voltaire wrote: “Every man is shaped by his age; very few rise above the morals of their time.” He, Voltaire, was the way the 18th century created him, and he, Voltaire, was among those enlighteners who rose above him.

Some French educators hoped for cooperation with the authorities in solving specific problems of governing the country. Among them stood out a group of physiocratic economists (from the Greek words “physics” - nature and “kratos” - power), led by Francois Quesnay and Anne Robert Turgot.

The awareness of the unattainability of the goals of the Enlightenment through peaceful, evolutionary means prompted many of them to join the irreconcilable opposition. Their protest took the form of atheism, sharp criticism of religion and the church, characteristic of materialist philosophers - Rousseau, Diderot, Holbach, Helvetius, etc.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778) in his treatise “On Social Speech...” (1762) substantiated the right of the people to overthrow absolutism. He wrote: “Every law, if the people have not directly approved it, is invalid. If the English people consider themselves free, then they are sorely mistaken. He is free only during the elections of members of parliament: as soon as they are elected, he is a slave, he is nothing. In ancient republics and even monarchies, the people were never represented; the word itself was unknown.

    century- a (y), sentence. about the century, for the century; pl. centuries, ov; m. 1. A period of time of one hundred years; century. The twentieth century. In the last century. A quarter of a century has passed. In the mists of time; from the depths of centuries (about something that originates in the distant past). Many folk... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    VEC- husband. the lifespan of a person or the shelf life of an object; continuation of earthly existence. The century is an ordinary day; century of oak millennium. | Life, the existence of the universe in its current order. The end of the age is near. | Century. Now is the nineteenth century AD. Chr. |… … Dictionary Dahl

    century- noun, m., used. very often Morphology: (no) what? century, why? century, (I see) what? century, what? century, about what? about the age and forever; pl. What? century, (no) what? centuries, why? centuries, (I see) what? century, what? for centuries, about what? about centuries 1. A century is a time period... ... Dmitriev's Explanatory Dictionary

    VEC- CENTURY, centuries (century), about a century, for a century, pl. century (agelids outdated), male 1. Life (colloquial). "Live and learn." (last) Add age (lengthen life). In his lifetime he experienced many adventures. I have enough work for my lifetime. “Evil, girls have been around for a century.”... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

    century- See time, long, life for once, forever and ever, live out a century, ruin a century, from time immemorial, from time immemorial, from time immemorial, forever and ever, forever and ever, not forever, from century to century, live out your age, to be lost for a century, to be lost for a century, calmly... ... Synonym dictionary

    VEC- CENTURY, ah, about the century, forever, pl. a, ov, husband. 1. A period of one hundred years, conventionally calculated from the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas). Third century BC. Twentieth century (period from January 1, 1901 to December 31, 2000). Beginning of the century (tenths... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

    The Age of the Restless Sun- The Age of the Restless Sun... Wikipedia

    The century will last forever

    Century to die- A CENTURY TO LAST. A CENTURY TO AGE. Outdated Express 1. Live long; live life. So Alena remained alone for centuries (Bazhov. Ermakov’s swans). Well, brother, said Kustolomov, your apartment is, of course, unenviable, but you can’t live here forever... ... Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Literary Language

    century- to live forever the pastime of the century ends the action, subject, the end of the century the action began, the subject, the beginning of the century to live the end, the pastime of the century passed the action, subject, the end to live out the century the end,... ... Verbal compatibility of non-objective names

    Age of Fools- The Age of Stupid Genre ... Wikipedia

Books

  • The Age of Joyce, I. I. Garin. If we write history as the history of the culture of the human spirit, then the 20th century should receive the name of Joyce - Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky of our time. Eliot compared his Ulysses with... Buy for 760 RUR
  • A century of hopes and ruins, Oleg Volkov. 1990 edition. The condition is good. The main work in the collection “The Age of Hopes and Disruptions” by one of the elders of Russian literature Oleg Vasilyevich Volkov, published for his…

So, to begin with, let’s answer a far from new question that arises in many schoolchildren and not only: “XVIII - what century is this?” Let's try to figure this out in this article.

The mystery of Latin numbers, or the answer to the question: “XVIII - what century is this?”

People often complain that Roman numerals are very difficult for them. In fact, there is nothing difficult here. Everything follows a completely understandable logic.

So, in the case of the number XVIII, it must be deciphered starting from the very beginning. So, X is ten. Accordingly, the number will clearly be greater than 10, since the remaining numbers are to the right of the main one. The fact is that if we had the number IX, then it would already be 9, since the one on the left is subtracted from 10. So, let's look further. V is 5, and the last part, respectively, is 3. All elements are summed up and we get the finished number - 18. But in parallel with the question of what century it is in the 18th century, another difficulty arises. Which year can be attributed to the 18th century - 1750 or 1829? There is only one answer: 1750, since 1829 will already be the 19th century.

History of the 18th century. Education

So, when we have figured out which century is which, let’s dwell on the history of this period. Let's start with the fact that Europe in the 18th century was experiencing a grandiose event in its history - the Enlightenment. This term is familiar to many. One may wonder: what century is this in the 18th century, but one cannot help but know the peculiarities of this phenomenon. Each country did it differently. But what was common to all was the collapse of feudalism.

Enlightenment is a natural process that inevitably began with the fall of the feudal system. It is humanistic and gravitates towards formal law, seeing in it a guarantee of freedom and better life. Enlightenment as a phenomenon not only influenced mental development Europe. It boldly criticized obsolete and outdated forms of life and way of life, preserved since the Middle Ages.

Basic ideas of the English Enlightenment

Thus, Locke brought to the fore moral qualities and guidelines, considering the state as an agreement of people. He believed that the only natural regulator of interpersonal and social relations are the norms of morality, ethics and behavior.

They had to be established, according to the philosopher, “by universal silent consent.” The history of the 18th century completely determined the further development path of many countries, including Great Britain. English leaders believed that the highest goal is not the happiness of society, but the happiness of the individual, personal elevation.

Locke also emphasized that all people are born with a set of powers and abilities that will help them achieve almost anything. But only constant efforts, as the philosopher believed, contribute to the realization of the potential inherent in everyone. Only personal creative effort will help a person succeed in life. In saying this, the 18th century very accurately grasped the needs of society during that period.

French Enlightenment

Unlike the ideas of the English Enlightenment, Rousseau highlights society, and not one individual. According to his ideas, initially society had all the power, but then it handed over power to the rulers so that they acted in its interests. Rousseau was a supporter of a democratic-republican state. Civic equality will only be achieved when every citizen can participate in government.

Montesquieu, in turn, insists that any country must adapt to the climate, religion, and character of the people. The philosopher also considers the best form government structure republican uniform. But, not seeing the possibility of implementing it in modern states, he stops at In this case, the ruler will only have executive power, and legislative power will belong to the elected parliament.