Full Idea
The turning point in the history of the philosophy of history occurs in the eighteenth century, when the ancient cyclical model of Vico is superseded by the idea of progress.
Gist of Idea
In the 18th century history came to be seen as progressive, rather than cyclical
Source
Vittorio Hösle (A Short History of German Philosophy [2013], 6)
Book Reference
Hösle,Vittorio: 'Short History of German Philosophy' [Princeton 2013], p.89
A Reaction
He says that Hegel merely inherited this progressive view, rather than creating it. I'm not sure how widely held the cyclical view was. I don't recognise it in Shakespeare. Science and technology must have suggested progress.