What are some positive things that you admire about the 18th century?

[Buzz Rules]

What are some positive things that you admire about the 18th century? With Independence Day coming up, what are some things that you enjoy from the time period or impress you that occurred during that time? One thing I enjoy from time period is the music. I also admire that people from that time tried to waste very little and were very inventive on how to survive without the convenience of electricity.
Examples:

 

[fla4fun]

I love Baroque music! When CDs first came out, I bought a fairly expensive stereo system and a few Baroque CDs. It sounded so good! Still have the CDs, but not the stereo. I also like the architecture of the period. When I first visited Colonial Williamsburg, I was in awe of the buildings there. One of these days I will find a way to visit again.

 

[RedAngie]

I enjoyed having New Year’s Day on March 25 until mid-18th century when King Whoever messed things up.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I enjoyed having New Year’s Day on March 25 until mid-18th century when King Whoever messed things up.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Day

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/colonial-new-england-new-year-started-march-25/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_(New_Style)_Act_1750

George the 2nd.

 

[RamblingMad]

People lived short lives.

 

[Buzz Rules]

People lived short lives.

That’s a positive?

 

[RamblingMad]

That’s a positive?

Didn't have to worry about social security or medicare.

 

[Sweettears]

Didn't have to worry about social security or medicare.

Or living longer

 

[Buzz Rules]

I love Baroque music! When CDs first came out, I bought a fairly expensive stereo system and a few Baroque CDs. It sounded so good! Still have the CDs, but not the stereo. I also like the architecture of the period. When I first visited Colonial Williamsburg, I was in awe of the buildings there. One of these days I will find a way to visit again.

You probably would enjoy Mr. Jefferson’s garden party hosted at CW every year (well not the last couple of years due to Covid but post Covid it should be back).

 

[RamblingMad]

Or living longer

Or become president. The minimum age made certain only folks with means to remain healthy could be president.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Or become president. The minimum age made certain only folks with means to remain healthy could be president.

Many people lived past 50 in the 18th century, it wasn’t that uncommon.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Or become president. The minimum age made certain only folks with means to remain healthy could be president.

The age minimum was meant to have only people who have experience and maturity to handle the office properly. So you wouldn’t have a 21 year old who thinks he knows everything run the country and do poor rash decisions.

 

[Sweettears]

Many people lived past 50 in the 18th century, it wasn’t that uncommon.

Franklin and Jefferson both lived long lives

 

[Buzz Rules]

Franklin and Jefferson both lived long lives

So did common farmers who lived away from the cities. As long as you avoided plague areas and most of the time got inoculated, you lived a decent long life.

 

[tcufrog]

The age statistics were skewed by the higher rate of infant and childhood mortality as well as the high rate of death during and post-labor.

 

[georgina]

So did common farmers who lived away from the cities. As long as you avoided plague areas and most of the time got inoculated, you lived a decent long life.

Maybe if you were a man. A lot of women died in childbirth, or soon after, as tcufrog pointed out. Sure the music and art were nice, but other than that i can't think of much to admire.

One of my great-great grandfathers outlived 3 wives.

 

[MICKIMINI]

My ancestors in New Hampshire gave my husbands ancestors a land grant in Vermont! We actually went to the Vermont State Archives and were able to find the original document - priceless!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Maybe if you were a man. A lot of women died in childbirth, or soon after, as tcufrog pointed out. Sure the music and art were nice, but other than that i can't think of much to admire.

One of my great-great grandfathers outlived 3 wives.

I didn’t say it was a perfect era (life isn’t perfect today by any means). But I think there are somethings our ancestors did way back when that could have positive impacts today. Ex. Play board or card games as a family instead of forever looking at a tv or iPod. Flying a kite instead of staying inside playing video games. People caring about their community instead of just focusing on themselves.

 

[RedAngie]

I also liked when Maine didn’t exist. It was part of Massachusetts.

 

[bcla]

I don't know if it was that great. Powdered wigs, wooden teeth, poor bathing habits. And of course in the Americas, slavery.

But if anything, it was the renaissance style of thinking. People like Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson who believed in science as well as diplomacy. These days there are those who don't truly believe in science and that's kind of sad.