Luhmann is forever talking about the second half of the 18th century as the pivotal era in the transition to modern society. More specifically, he mentions early 1760s, and the year 1763 comes up in various places. So what was going at this time?

Luhmann is forever talking about the second half of the 18th century as the pivotal era in the transition to modern society. More specifically, he mentions early 1760s, and the year 1763 comes up in various places. So what was going at this time?