The document discusses the intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment during the 18th century. Supporters of the Enlightenment used reason and science to critique the traditional structures of the Ancien Regime and proposed new ideas centered around principles like reason, equality, and liberty. Enlightened despots in Europe and America tried to enact political reforms peacefully through education and new laws. During this time, the American colonists declared independence from Britain and the Bourbons rose to power in Spain following the War of the Spanish Succession.

1. UNIT 3
THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE
ANCIEN RÉGIME

2. THE 18TH CENTURY: THE EARLY
MODERN AND MODERN AGES
 The intellectual movement called the
Enlightement was developed.
 The supporters wanted to use reason, science
and education to combat ignorance and
reform society.

3. THE ENLIGHTENMENT:
A CHANGE IN THINKING
 They criticised the traditional structures of
the Ancien Régime and suggested new ideas
to change society.
 The main principles were:
 Reason
 Learning and teaching
 Equality and liberty
 In politics, they proposed measures to limit
the powers of absolute monarchs.

4. ENLIGHTENMENT POLITICS IN
EUROPE, AMERICA AND SPAIN
 Enlightened despots had the following
characteristics:
 Centralised governments
 Enlightened thinkers for important positions
 They tried to make changes peacefully, through
education and new laws.
 On 4th July the American colonists proclaimed
the “Declaration of Independence of the USA”,
after they had refused to pay more taxes.
 From 1701 to 1714 there was the War of the
Spanish Succession which brought the rise of
the Bourbons.

5. ECONOMIC CHANGES AND SOCIETY
 Agriculture improved and more goods were
produced through the domestic system and
by royal manufacturers.
 Transatlantic trade also increased.
 The reforms of Felipe V and Carlos III
contributed to economic growth in Spain.
 Society remained based on the estates of the
realm, but Enlightenment thinkers wanted to
change this.

6. ART: ROCOCO AND NEOCLASSICISM
 ROCOCO: It reflected the aesthetic
tastes of the nobility, who wanted homes
and decorations that represented the
joys of life.
 NEOCLASSICISM: It imitated classical
art and reflected the aesthetic tastes of
Enlightenment thinkers and the middle
class. It reflected ideas of order and
moral correctness.