The 18th century lasted from 1 January 1701 (represented by the Roman numerals MDCCI) to 31 December 1800 (MDCCC). During the 18th century, elements of Enlightenment thinking culminated in the Atlantic Revolutions.
The 18th century was a period of the Enlightenment, revolutions, global trade, and industrialization.
The Early Modern era: the 18th century (4 of 4) - Smarthistory
The 18th century, also referred to as the 1700s, marked the beginning of the first Industrial Revolution, as well as "The Age of Enlightenment."
Discover the key historical events of the 18th century, from revolutions to cultural transformations that shaped the modern world.
1796: Edward Jenner administers the first smallpox vaccination; smallpox killed an estimated 400,000 Europeans each year during the 18th century, including five reigning monarchs.