Mantsebo experienced a splendid golden age in the 18th century. After repealing its isolationist laws, Mantsebo's economy had largely increased, and it experienced an intellectual and cultural movement that would modernize Mantseban culture. It also introduced a series of reforms that would increase agricultural output, which would lead to the rapid population growth that occurred. However, this era was not without problems though. As the population grew, the state became unable to support its population, leading to a series of famines and plagues. The ruling class also became more corrupt, brutal, extravagant, and inefficient. In turn, Mantsebo's golden age rapidly ended at around the beginning of the 19th century, giving rise to the Bitter Century.
The Bitter Century is seen as one of the most disastrous and humiliating points in Mantseban history. It was during this period that the lower class of the nation endured a century of widespread famines, diseases, and corruption, causing dissent among a majority of the population. Meanwhile, the oblivious upper class only grew richer in this century, until the Moloko Revolution of 1899.
The Moloko Revolution was much like the French Revolution. Both were caused by the lower class, dissatisfied with the oppression, brutality, and greed by the higher class. Beginning at 1857, the Moloko Revolution is one of the bloodiest civil wars in history, with two-thirds of the Mantseban population dead (33 million). This is because of the higher class attempting to weaken and lessen the massive lower class population in an effort to sedate them. This war would not end until the beginning of the 20th century.