France Social The French Monarchy of 18th century was very different from the British Monarchy.

The British had a Parliamentary Democracy, with a King to whom they could look to for guidance and tradition, to rule. In France, the Monarchs based their power on the feudal system of Divine Right of kings. They were not subject to the laws and guidelines, set down by the Parliament, as their English counterparts were required to by law. Economical This is a history of the economy of France. For more information on historical, cultural, demographic and sociological developments in France, see the chronological era articles in the template to the right. For more information on specific political and governmental regimes in France, see the dynasty and regime articles. Political Political history focuses on decisions made by the leadership of nation-states. Political history studies the organization and operation of power in large societies. By focusing on the elites in power, on their impact on society, on popular response, and on the relationships with the elites in other countries. The field often involves the deconstruction of myths and received wisdom. The political historian has the constant, and awesome, responsibility of doing justice to the leadership of the past.[2] According to Hegel, political History "is an idea of the state with a moral and spiritual force beyond the material interests of its subjects: it followed that the state was the main agent of historical change

Spain Political Spains political fortunes during the 18th century were played out against a background of events in the rest of Europe. Nothing new about that; it had been so during the 16th and 17th centuries. But there was a big difference in the 18th century: Spain no longer called the shots. Spains political fate depended to a large degree on the struggle for power between Britain and France, its traditional rivals, and Austria, the home of the Hapsburg dynasty. At the same time, lesser powers such as Holland and Portugal were ready to pounce on any Spanish weakness. Both had historical grievances against Spain, having once formed part of the Spanish empire. Economical The Spanish economy began to industrialize in the late 18th century, and industrialization and economic growth continued throughout the 19th century. However, it was limited to a few relatively small areas of the country, especially to Catalonia (where textile manufacture took hold) and the Basque Country (where iron and steel were made). The overall pace of economic growth was slower than that of the major western European countries, so that by the early 20th century Spain appeared poor and underdeveloped compared with countries such as Great Britain, Germany, France, and even Italy. Social The early years of the 18th century were a period of severe adjustments for Spain, long accustomed to calling the shots in Europe. These years were marked by a new royal dynasty, the French Bourbons, a centralisation of power, and a humiliating loss of territory in Europe. Britain, France and Austria were the main Western European powers during these early years, and Spain was reduced to a junior role, although it still retained its American and Pacific possessions.

Germany

Social The Enlightenment operated in most countries, but often with a specific local emphasis. For example in France it became associated with anti-government and anti-Church radicalism, while in Germany it reached deep into the middle classes and expressed a spiritualistic and nationalistic tone without threatening governments or established churches. Government responses varied widely. In France the government was hostile, and the philosophes fought against its censorship. They were sometimes imprisoned or hounded into exile. The British government generally ignored the Enlightenment's leaders in England and Scotland, although it did give Isaac Newton a knighthood and a very lucrative government office in charge of the mint. Economical Germany before 1800 was heavily rural, with some urban trade centers. In the 19th century it began a stage of rapid economic growth and modernization, led by heavy industry. By 1900 it had the largest economy in Europe, a factor that played a major role in its entry into World War I and World War II. Devastated by World War II, West Germany became an "economic miracle" in the 1950s and 1960s with the help of the Marshall Plan. Currently it is the largest individual economy in the EU with GDP of roughly 3 trillion USD. Political German Political Parties Beginning in the mid-18th century a strong movement set in across middle Europe to form associations. The decisive requisite was the formation of new interests and needs within civil society, providing the background for the Enlightenment. Towards the end of the 18th century civil society already activated, classified, and mobilized into innumerable societies. This great increase in constituting societies was an expression of the new social conduct and action. It was mainly limited to the burgher social stratum which until then hardly represented a social phenomenon and now sought a new form of social self expression. The foundation consisted of the gradually evolving modern state with its bureaucracy and the beginning emancipation of the bourgeoisie in administration, learning, and the economy. The various enlightened societies for the first time transcended confessional borders, state and estate interests in the aspiration to embrace and unite the entire society.