“Enlightened Despotism”

Enlightened Despotism Ruling with the ideas of the Enlightenment What are those ideas? Conflicted relationship Enlightened AND military Reformer or Despot Reformer: Embraced reforms introduced by Philosophes Despot: Goal: strengthen the monarchy Examples: Frederick II, Joseph II, Catherine II

Frederick the Great of Prussia (r. 1740-1786) 1712 -– 1786. Succeeded his father, Frederick William I (the “Soldier King”). He saw himself as the “First Servant of the State.”

Enlightened? Why or Why not? Frederick II Writer himself Placed Voltaire in his court (Patronage) Economics Government support of farmers But, high taxes on peasants Noneconomic policies Religious tolerance But, Protestants held political office Personal monarchy Enlightened? Why or Why not?

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) German Princess Sophie Friederike Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst. 1729 -– 1796.

Catherine The Great Russia Pubic relations Before her… Create image of enlightened leader Before her… Dynasty in shambles Needed to be an absolute monarch Befriending the Nobles Economic growth expand middle class Territory expansion War with Ottoman Empire

The Partitions of Poland What about Poland? The Partitions of Poland - 1772 - 1793 - 1795

Russian Expansionism in the Late 18c

Joseph II of Austria (r. 1765-1790) 1741 -– 1790. His mother was Maria Theresa.

Joseph II Cold…but, wanted to improve the life of his people Centralized authority Education: continue Maria Theresa’s policy Ecclesiastical polices Favored religious toleration Religion under control of the state i.e. priests were government employees Reform Uniform and rational law Abolished serfdom and increased peasant rights

Joseph II of Austria

How did the Enlightenment change the world? Democratic Revolutions America in 1776 Europe especially in Paris in the late 1780s Every Western European government on the defensive.

New forms of civil society arose clubs, salons, fraternities private universities lending libraries professional/scientific organizations

Conservatives called it a disease once reformers began to criticize established institutions, they didn’t know where and when to stop

Power to the individual full civil and legal rights political and social force to be reckoned with.