In 18th century Europe, society was divided into estates and orders. This system of social division was prevalent in countries such as France, Germany, and Austria. Let us explore this further.

Estates:
The concept of estates originated from feudalism and was based on the division of society into three distinct groups or estates. These estates were:

1. First Estate: This estate consisted of the clergy, including bishops, priests, and monks. They were considered the highest-ranking estate and had significant power and influence in society. They owned vast amounts of land and were exempt from many taxes.

2. Second Estate: The second estate comprised the nobility, which included aristocrats, lords, and members of the royal family. They held significant political and social power and enjoyed privileges such as exemption from certain taxes and the right to own land and control the serfs.

3. Third Estate: The third estate was the largest and most diverse estate. It included the commoners, such as merchants, artisans, peasants, and the urban working class. The third estate had limited political power and faced various restrictions and burdens, including heavy taxes and feudal obligations.

Orders:
In addition to the division into estates, European society in the 18th century was also organized into orders. These orders were hierarchical social groups based on occupation or profession. The orders included:

1. Clergy: The clergy belonged to the first estate and were responsible for religious duties and administration.

2. Nobility: The nobility, belonging to the second estate, were the ruling class and held significant political and social power.

3. Bourgeoisie: The bourgeoisie were the middle class and comprised merchants, professionals, and businessmen. They played a crucial role in trade and commerce.

4. Peasantry: The peasantry, belonging to the third estate, were primarily rural agricultural workers who provided labor on the land owned by the nobility.

It is important to note that these divisions were not strictly fixed, and there was some mobility between the estates and orders. However, individuals generally remained within their designated social groups, and social mobility was limited.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, 18th century European society was divided into estates and orders. The estates consisted of the clergy, nobility, and commoners, while the orders were based on occupation or profession. This social division had a significant impact on power dynamics, privileges, and opportunities available to different groups in society.

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