1750

1750 is a year in the 18th century, occurring during the broader historical period of the Enlightenment and the expansion of global trade and colonial empires. It sits within a century characterized by scientific inquiry, philosophical debate, and increasingly interconnected economies and cultures across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

In Europe, major powers such as Great Britain, France, Austria, and Prussia continued to shape a shifting balance of power. The War of the Austrian Succession had ended a few years earlier, leaving a Europe still engaged in diplomacy and rivalry that would soon contribute to further conflicts. The era’s intellectual currents—the Enlightenment—profoundly influenced political thought, science, and education, feeding growing urban societies and colonial administration.

A notable administrative development of the year was Britain's Calendar Act of 1750, which moved the country and its colonies toward the Gregorian calendar. The shift culminated in 1752 with the removal of 11 days from September and the establishment of January 1 as the start of the year, aligning Britain with most of continental Europe.

Outside Europe, competing commercial interests in Asia and the Americas continued to drive imperial policy. In North America and India, British and French activities in particular intensified colonial trade and rivalry, often involving local rulers and populations. In Asia, Qing China remained a dominant regional power, while other states maintained traditional governance structures and trade networks. The year 1750 thus sits at a crossroads of scientific curiosity, political realignments, and growing global integration.