In the 18th century, Britain experienced significant political, economic, social, and cultural shifts, particularly during the Georgian era. Politically, the Hanoverian dynasty, beginning with George I in 1714, ushered in an era of relative stability after the turmoil of the Stuart period. Under the reign of George I and his successors, parliamentary sovereignty strengthened, and the power of the monarchy gradually diminished. This era witnessed the solidification of political parties, with the Whigs and Tories playing dominant roles in shaping policy, laying the foundation for modern British parliamentary democracy.