18th century

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

In the 18th century, Parliamentarians played a crucial role in every field. Parlimentarians were elected by wealthy families and were influential on the decision of the King. The industrial revolution was seen at the beginning of 1700s in Britain. With industrial revolution, middle class get a rich and bankers, traders, merchant and other professional figures become more of an issue. Transportation and industry developed in 18th century. Iron production and the first steam engine was seen in 1775. While wealth people lived happily, poor people lived in wretched conditions. Also diseases were rife. So only one child in four born in London lived to become an adult.

A MODEST PROPOSAL

For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland,
from being a burden on their parents or country,
and for making them beneficial to the publick.

by Dr. Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift argues a lot of events in this proposal. Also he gives a lot of data about the number of children to be sold, their weight and price. He suggests some solution to solve Ireland’s complex social, politicial and economic problems.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/modestproposal/summary.html