1. Daily Life and Technologies:
- Transportation: Transportation was vastly different, with no cars or planes, Horse-drawn carriages and boats were the main modes of travel.
- Lighting: Artificial lighting relied on candles, oil lamps, and fireplaces, which limited activities after sunset.
- Communication: Communication was primarily through letters and face-to-face interactions.
- Medicine: Medical knowledge was limited, and treatments often involved traditional remedies rather than scientific practices.
2. Social Structure:
- Feudalism: Feudal systems were prevalent in many parts of the world, where landownership determined social status.
- Class System: Societies were heavily divided into social classes, with the aristocracy and clergy holding the highest ranks.
3. Cultural Practices:
- Religion: Religious practices varied depending on the region, but Christianity played a significant role in European society.
- Art and Literature: The Age of Enlightenment brought a surge in the arts, philosophy, and literature.
4. Food and Agriculture:
- Food Preservation: Food preservation techniques, refrigeration, and storage methods, were limited.
- Subsistence Farming: Agriculture was mainly subsistence-based, and food shortages were common.
- Limited Dietary Options: The common diet lacked variety and was largely based on available crops and livestock.
5. Economy and Trade:
- Barter System: Bartering was a common practice, and money economies were still developing.
- Mercantilism: Economic policies focused on self-sufficiency and maximizing exports while minimizing imports.
- Limited Global Trade: Communication and transportation challenges restricted global trade.
6. Science and Technology:
- Scientific Advances: Scientific advancements were happening but at a slower pace compared to today's rapid advancements.
- Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution had not yet begun, so production methods were largely manual and labor-intensive.
Life in the 18th century was characterized by a slower pace, limited technology, and a highly structured social hierarchy. The subsequent decades brought significant changes, including advancements in science, technology, and socio-economic systems, shaping the modern world we live in today.