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The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar.
During the 18th century, the Enlightenment culminated in the French and American revolutions. Philosophy and science increased in prominence. Philosophers dreamed of a brighter age. This dream turned into a reality with the French Revolution, although it was later compromised by excess of the terror of MaximilienRobespierre. At first, the monarchies of Europe embraced Enlightenment ideals, but with the French Revolution they feared losing their power and joined wide coalitions with thecounter-revolution.
The Ottoman Empire was undergoing a protracted decline, as it failed to keep up with the technological advances in Europe. The Tulip period symbolized a period of peace and reorientation towards Europeansociety, after victory against a burgeoning Russian Empire in the Pruth River Campaign. Throughout the century various reforms were introduced with limited success.
The 18th century also marked the end of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as an independent state. The once powerful and vast kingdom, that was once able to conquer Moscow and defeat the great Ottoman armies, collapsed under numerousinvasions. Its semi-democratic government system was not efficient enough to rival the neighbouring monarchies of Prussia, Russia and Austria who divided the Commonwealth territories among them, changing the landscape of Central European politics for the next hundred years.
Great Britain became a major power worldwide with the defeat of France in the Americas, in the 1760s and the conquest of largeparts of India. However, Britain lost much of its North American colonies after the American Revolution, which was actively helped by the French. The industrial revolution started in Britain around 1770s with the production of the improved team engine. Despite its modest beginnings in the 18th century, it would radically change human society and the environment.
Western historians have occasionallydefined the 18th century otherwise for the purposes of their work. For example, the "short" 18th century may be defined as 1715–1789, denoting the period of time between the death of Louis XIV of France and the start of the French Revolution with an emphasis on directly interconnected events. To historians who expand the century to include larger historical movements, the "long" 18th century  mayrun from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the battle of Waterloo in 1815] or even later.

18TH-CENTURY MODES OF TRAVEL
In the eighteenth century, people traveled for many of the same reasons we travel today—business, pleasure, or to visit friends and family. Most eighteenth-century travelers were men from the middling and upper levels of society. Women and children traveled much less oftenthan men did. Slaves often accompanied their masters. When a slave traveled alone, he carried a pass from his master showing that he had permission to travel. Without a pass, African-Americans could be arrested as runaways.

People moved around the colony by foot, wheeled vehicle, horse, or small boat. The least expensive and most common way to get from one place to another was by foot. Walkingwas the common mode of transportation for poor whites and slaves.
The first step up for a traveler with extra money was the purchase of a horse. Virginians were extremely fond of horses. Even poor whites purchased a horse and saddle as soon as they could afford them. Horses sold for as little as £5, but a fine racehorse cost as much as £500.
Many Virginians also acquired some type of vehicle.Farmers and small planters found carts or wagons useful. These all-purpose work vehicles hauled produce to market and carried families on journeys. Wealthier individuals bought riding chairs, carriages, or coaches. A new riding chair, or lightweight two-wheeled vehicle, cost £10 to £45, a used chair as little as £2. The gentry often purchased elaborate vehicles. George Washington, for example,...