What do you know about aristocracy & peasants of 18th century in Europe
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Answer:
The social structure of Spain in the 18th century continued to be based upon nobility and peasantry. However, the period also saw the growth of a middle class, centred upon the growing bureaucracy associated with Bourbon rule, and upon a limited development of commerce and industry.
Nobles and lords
In Spain at this period there were a large number of nobles. Some of them were rich while others were poor workers. Although their number decreased during the second half of the century, they continued numerous, due in part to the large number of hidalgos in the north of Spain. In Santander, an economic survey known as the Catastro of Ensenada showed that almost all the registered residents were nobles, despite being peasants or working as masons, blacksmiths and other trades (Lynch, p. 226). Elsewhere the number of nobles was lower and many owned substantial property and wealth, being distinguished by their wealth more than by ancient concepts of estate.