The Early Romantic Age

The Historical and Social Context1760-89

King George III

He became king in 1760 and reigned for 60 years (one of the longest reigns in English history!)

He promoted the agricultural Revolution and was nicknamed Farmer George.

Britain vs France

Britain fought against France for colonial expansion

Britain was superior in world trade

Britain praised its government while despising France's absolute monarchy

The American Independence

In the colonies in North America Enlightened ideas had found a fertile ground.

In 1773 the colonies rebelled against Britain at the Boston Tea Party.

They threw tea into the harbour and used the slogan No taxation without representation

The Declaration of Independece

The colonies proved to be united against Britain

On 4 July 1776 they signed the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson

Britain recognised the independence in 1783 with the Treaty of Versailles.

Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions

At the end of the 18th century, the methods of farming and the manufacture of goods began to change.

Increase in population increase in trade = new market for new goods and new labour force to produce and buy them

Agricultural revolution happened gradually (Enclosure Acts)

James Watt invented the first reliable Steam Engine in 1775.

The Industrial Revolution

The Steam Engine was applied to the mechanisation of the Jenny, an engine used to spin wool

It was used in the coal mines to pump water out of the mines.

Due to the industrial growth, the domestic transport needed to be improved. Turnpikes or toll roads and a canal system with locks were built.

The New Industrial Society

Society could be divided into two main classes: wage-payers and wage-earners.

Landlords grew extraordinarily rich thanks to the enclosure process.

Wealth turned England into a consumer society.

Population moved to new industrial areas, where mushroom towns were built to house workers.

Women and children were highly prized and exploited by employers (= less paid; easy to control).

Labourers were called hands. They lived and worked in appaling conditions. They had no rights nor regulations to control their working hours.