Question

Describe the social condition of europe in the mid 18th century.

Answer 1

Pop culture seems to change yearly. One year Celine Dion and gel pens are 'in' and the next year they are forgotten, replaced by Miley Cyrus and Uggs. What is stylish and what is not each year is often determined by, and reflective of, our society. Even though it seems like a completely different world, what was popular in the 18th century was also reflective of the changes that were taking place in 18th-century society. In this lesson, we will explore that society and its changing world, and what those with the time to spend on popular culture enjoyed.

Societal Makeup

The makeup of society was changing in the 18th century, but there was still opposition from the rigidly hierarchical established powers of the day. Indeed, despite some changes, at 1800, the nobility and traditional landed aristocracy still held the political power in most of Western Europe. In addition to largely being the sole holders of political power, the nobility of the 18th century held the vast majority of the region's wealth. Most of this wealth (and indeed, most of its attendant prestige) derived from the ownership of land.

To be a true member of the European nobility at this point, one must not have to work for a living, but must be able to live solely off the rents and profits from property, preferably land which the same family had owned for generations. In fact, some newer members of the noble classes went to great lengths to disguise newly bought land as land their grandparents and great-grandparents had owned. It should be noted that in most countries, the clergy were also considered part of the aristocratic class, and many of the clergy were second and third sons of lesser nobles, and hence unable to inherit their fathers' lands and estates.

The growth of the group the next rung down the social ladder during the 18th century is one of the most contentious subjects in European history. The urban working class (which Marxist historians term the 'bourgeoisie') had always existed in some form, but their growth and the growth of their respective industries had largely been hampered by long production times or the restrictive trade guilds of the cities and towns in which they often worked. The development of cottage industries (think very small-scale, in-home, efficient production of goods), and later, the advent of the Industrial Revolution changed the conditions dramatically for urban craftsmen, tradesmen, and merchants during the 18th century.

what kind of condition of the 18th century Europe

Answer 2

Answer:

The makeup of society was changing in the 18th century, but there was still opposition from the rigidly hierarchical established powers of the day. Indeed, despite some changes, at 1800, the nobility and traditional landed aristocracy still held the political power in most of Western Europe. In addition to largely being the sole holders of political power, the nobility of the 18th century held the vast majority of the region's wealth. Most of this wealth (and indeed, most of its attendant prestige) derived from the ownership of land.

To be a true member of the European nobility at this point, one must not have to work for a living, but must be able to live solely off the rents and profits from property, preferably land which the same family had owned for generations. In fact, some newer members of the noble classes went to great lengths to disguise newly bought land as land their grandparents and great-grandparents had owned. It should be noted that in most countries, the clergy were also considered part of the aristocratic class, and many of the clergy were second and third sons of lesser nobles, and hence unable to inherit their fathers' lands and estates.

The growth of the group the next rung down the social ladder during the 18th century is one of the most contentious subjects in European history. The urban working class (which Marxist historians term the 'bourgeoisie') had always existed in some form, but their growth and the growth of their respective industries had largely been hampered by long production times or the restrictive trade guilds of the cities and towns in which they often worked. The development of cottage industries (think very small-scale, in-home, efficient production of goods), and later, the advent of the Industrial Revolution changed the conditions dramatically for urban craftsmen, tradesmen, and merchants during the 18th century.