1. Unit 6: 18th Century Europe

2. The Social Order
18th Century Europe was a very class conscious society
A great landowner could do as he pleased during the later half of the century
The social structure was marked by birth into your estate (France) or order
This order marked not only your identity, but also your privileges and responsibility

3. Nobility
Making up about 2-3% (more common in Eastern Europe and Spain) this was the most privileged order
As a noble you were exempt from most taxes
You could pass on your title to your first son
They dominated political life
Owned land but did not work
Made money from peasants and their seigneurial dues
Peasants had to show deference to nobles as they passed
Many small special privileges would constantly remind peasants who was in charge
Nobles could duel and carry swords
Not all nobles were aristocrats (nobles of the sword)

4. The Clergy
Although technically an estate the clergy were separated into two parts, wealthy clergy and priests
Immune from taxes
The bishops and higher clergy came from the nobility and were not pious
Local priests were very important in local affairs

5. Bourgeoisie
Traders, artisans, craftsman, innkeepers, lawyers small merchants and manufacturers
Many would try and purchase land and titles
1/3 of Western Europe was owned by these
Often looked down on by nobles
Growing in power

6. Peasants Between 75-90% of the people were peasants
Through them the nobles maintained wealth
The village was the center of the peasant's life
Folklore would celebrate peasant wisdom, but they were considered lower than human by the nobility
Rural industry often brought extra money
Debt was common
The landless poor traveled as migrant workers
Serfdom was abolished in Western Europe but lords could still issue justice

7. Peasants Continued The further East, the worse it was
Peasants would resist, and sometimes revolt
Pugachev's “Peter III”
All revolts were put down with brutality