What where the most significant economic and social changes taking place in the 18th century
The 18th century was a period of immense change throughout Europe in terms of socially, economically and otherwise. This essay aims to take a broad look at the socio-economic changes throughout Europe’s urban centres and show how these changes paved the way to a period that we now call the Industrial Revolution. ... One of the most significant changes of the time that centres most of the other changes is that of population and demography. ... For example London by the end of the end of the 18th century had a population of 950,000 and Paris 550,000, making London the largest city in Europe at this time. ... What we should appreciate is that Britain is ahead of the rest of Europe during the 18th century and that industrialisation does not begin in mainland Europe till the 19th century. Population growth and demographic change meant changes in social structure.