Spread of Enlightenment Ideas Chapter 5, Section 2

Enlightened despots – monarchs who developed a system of government in which they ruled according to Enlightenment ideas.

Prussia Ruler: Frederick II Before: believed that it was duty to rule with absolute power to build Prussia’s strength After: Reforms he implemented ◦ Elementary education ◦ Abolished torture ◦ Religious toleration ◦ Reduced censorship

Prussia (cont.) Was Frederick II and Prussia really enlightened? Reforms limited ◦ No religious toleration to Jews ◦ Opposed but didn’t abolish serfdom

Russia Ruler: Catherine II aka Catherine the Great Before: Czars failed before her, she wanted to establish order and justice as well as new ideas After: reforms she implemented ◦V◦V oltaire and Diderot ◦D◦D rafted a Russian constitution and code of laws ◦W◦W anted to free the serfs

Russia (cont.) Was Catherine II and Russia really enlightened? Reforms limited ◦L◦L aws and constitution was seen as too liberal and did not pass ◦D◦D idn’t free the serfs for fear of loosing noble support ◦B◦B ecame a tyrant

Austria Ruler: Joseph II Before: Maria Theresa read and considered enlightenment ideas, but no real implementation of ideas After: Very ambitious ◦ Eliminated torture and death penalty ◦ Free food and medicine for the poor ◦ Religious toleration for Jews and Protestants ◦ Abolished serfdom

Austria (cont.) Did Joseph II’s policies work? Reforms limited ◦ Reforms resisted by nobility and the church ◦ Had him reverse some of his reforms

Where the Enlightened Despots truly enlightened?

Influence Spreads 1. Summarize what enlightenment ideas are present in each document and who they are by. 2. What ideas are represented in both documents? 3. Which ideas do you think were most important and why?

Forming a New Government Began with the Articles of Confederation ◦ Weak national government Heated debate between Federalists and Anti- Federalists Federalists – ◦ in favor of a more centralized government ◦ Followers – Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay Anti-Federalists – ◦ in favor of states having more power ◦ Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine

The Constitution federal system – certain powers held by federal government, others reserved for state governments 3 Branches of Government ◦ Executive ◦ Legislative ◦ Judicial checks and balances Bill of Rights ◦ First 10 Amendments ◦ Basic freedoms based on natural rights

Document Comparison What basic enlightenment ideas do many of these documents have in common? Why? Which ideas are the most important and why?