Who were the philosophes? What opinions and ideas bound them together?

What was Voltaire's attitude toward monarchy? Why did he reject democracy?

Describe the challenges facing the French government in the eighteenth century. What steps did the crown take in response to those challenges?

Describe the power of Parliament in eighteenth-century Britain. Did Britain have a truly representative government? If not, whose interests did Parliament represent?

What key innovations in military technology, tactics, and organization changed the shape of warfare in the eighteenth century? What implications did changes in warfare have for European government as a whole?

What led to the population expansion of the eighteenth century? What consequences did population growth have for European economy and society?