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18th-Century Political Pamphlets

Posted on | November 6, 2008 | No Comments

Among the odds and ends in our boxes of books are some 18th-century English and Dutch political pamphlets. One group of these pamphlets focuses on the political fallout from Prussian aggression towards Austria and France’s invasion of Germany.

Four political pamphlets dealing with the German, Austrian, and Imperial problems.

Four political pamphlets dealing with the German, Austrian, and Imperial problems.



The earliest pamphlet was printed in 1713, during the Spanish War of Succession (1701-1714), and derides the French for having invaded Germany. Its rather dramatic title, Europe a Slave, when the Empire is in Chains. is certainly catching, and oddly familiar rhetoric.
Pamphlet on France’s invasion of Germany during the Spanish War of Succession.

Pamphlet on France’s invasion of Germany during the Spanish War of Succession.

The remaining three pamphlets treat the War of Austrian Succession, 1740-1748. Although focused on the question of whether or not Maria Theresa (i.e., a woman) could succeed to the Habsburg throne, it soon embroiled most of Europe and was immediately bound up with questions of religion as well as politics.

A general pamphlet on the War of Austrian Succession.

A general pamphlet on the War of Austrian Succession.

Although most of Europe had a vested interest in the outcome, Prussia and Austria stood to gain or lose the most. Prussia successfully attacked the Habsburg in Silesia and in the process showed that it had created the most modern army in Europe. Understandably, the efficiency of the Prussian army was met with concern and sympathy for Austria.

Pamphlet attacking Prussia for their aggression against Austria.

Pamphlet attacking Prussia for their aggression against Austria.

The last pamphlet focuses on the a few particular instances, including the Battle of Dettingen where the British-led troupes defeated the French.

A pamphlet on the Battle of Dettingen.

A pamphlet on the Battle of Dettingen.

These pamphlets are oddly familiar in their efforts to portray political and military situations in stark terms that efface all nuance. Perhaps it is a function of political rhetoric, especially popular political rhetoric that has only twenty short pages to convince the reader of a position. At least these pamphlets run on for twenty pages; were they published today, they would probably be only a few paragraphs.

Category: 18th century
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