Enlightened Despotism Consolidating Power through War and Reform

In the wake of Enlightenment Conditions of Poverty Markets and Tax Reform Extension of Education Religious toleration Heeded advice of French Philosophes

The New Warfare No longer are wars fought over religion Wars are fought over empires and overseas markets. Empires are fighting using muskets Military use became more cautious Extensive militarism-Prussia

Balance of Power forges Alliances Since the days of the War of Spanish Succession, the balance of power principle has been the order of the day. Alliances formed and switched to prevent any European power from becoming too large.

War of Austrian Succession Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 Death of Charles VI Ascension of Maria Theresa Issue the lands of Silesia and Frederick the Great’s power grab

Alliances France/Prussia and their colonies France driven by their hatred of their arch rival-Austria (Habsburgs) Great Britain/Austria/Rus sia and their Colonies

Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle Extremely disappointing in the American colonies. Gave Theresa the right to rule and her husband Joseph I the title of HRE Prussia gains Silesia

Seven Years War (French and Indian War) Prussia and UK North America France/Austria/Russ ia/Sweeden. France switches sides? Balance of Power Russia’s curious withdrawal.

Treaty of Paris 1763 France loses Canada France looking for revenge would support the Americans 15 years later in their revolution.

Partition of Poland 18 th Century: Poland-Lithuania very weak, the prey of larger absolute monarchs. Division of (Partition)

Wars Cause Reform Increased military power by modernizing, increasing naval power and economic strength. Promote tax reform by granting social reform State independence from Church

Austrian Reform “A properly constituted state must be exactly analogous to a machine…and the ruler must be the foreman, the mainstrping…which sets everything in motion.” “A single mass of people all subject to impartial guidance”

Prussian Reform “I am the first servant of the state”

Reformers: Frederick II (Great) French official language of his court Voltaire an advisor and confidant Justice system redesigned to limit cruel and unusual punishment. School code of 1763—providing funding for education of children. Agricultural reform Building projects benefitting all

Joseph II Revised legal code Limited role of church in Austria School ordinance Religious tolerance Tax restructuring Abolished serfdom

Catherine the Great Legal reform/punishment Bureaucracy based on Merit Legislative reform Expanded elementary education Expanded education for women Punishment and Pugachev’s Rebellion

Pugachev’s Rebellion

Catherine retracts reform Tells Denis Diderot: “You write on paper, but I have to write on human skin, which is far more ticklish”. Illustrating the fine line between being a philosophe and being a monarch employing their ideas.

Louis XV Abolished the Parlement of Paris Abolished hereditary control of public office Opened up the grain trade Attempted to tax the Nobility