Enlightened Absolutism AP Euro Unit 2 Part II CBHS

Enlightened Absolutists Outside of England and Netherlands, most thinkers concluded that benevolent absolutism offered the best opportunities for improving society. Some 18th C. rulers encouraged by govt. officials interested in improving society tried to reform their govt. in accordance with enlightenment ideals. Most influential of these new-style monarchs was in Prussia, Russia and Austria.

IT’S A TRAP!

TOLERATION of religious minorities REFORM of institutions ABSOLUTISM (DUH!) PATRONAGE of the philosophes T R A P

Frederick II (the Great) r.1740-86 Using the splendid army he inherited from his father, Frederick the Great invaded the province of Silesia. He invaded after Maria Teresa inherited the Habsburg dominions and he defied an agreement that had guaranteed her succession In 1742, as other powers vied for her lands in the European War of the Austrian Succession, she was forced to cede almost all of Silesia to Prussia.

Seven Years’ War (1756-63) Seeking to regain Silesia, Maria Theresa formed an alliance with France and Russia and initiated the Seven Years’ War against Prussia and England. Aim was to conquer Prussia and divide up its territory. Peter III came to the Russian throne in 1762 and called off the attack against Frederick. Struggles of the war tempered Frederick’s interest in territorial expansion Began to consider how more humane policies might be a way to strengthen the state. He energetically promoted the reconstruction of agriculture and industry.

Enlightened Ruling Frederick allowed his subjects freedom in their religious and philosophical beliefs. Promoted the advancement of knowledge by improving his country’s schools and permitting scholars to publish their findings. He oversaw the simplification of Prussian law, abolition of torture, and improvement of legal procedures. Prussian officials became famous for their hard work and honesty.

Prussian Reform Frederick referred to himself as “the first servant of the state,” justifying monarchy in terms of practical results. Although he condemned serfdom, he accepted it in practice and did not free serfs on his own estate He also accepted and extended the privileges of the nobility

Reforming Bureaucracy In reforming bureaucracy, he drew on the principles of cameralism, which held that: Monarchy was the best form of govt. That all elements of society should be placed at the service of the state And in turn, the state should use its resources and authority to improve society.

Catherine “the Great” Russia

Assassination? Catherine’s husband, Peter III, died less than a year after taking the throne – likely by assassination.

And I helped!

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-96) Catherine worked hard to continue Peter the Great’s effort to bring culture of western Europe to Russia. Imported Western architects, musicians, and intellectuals. She was beloved by the French philosophes She restricted the practice of torture, allowed limited religious toleration, and tried to improve education and strengthen local govt.

PATRONAGE Catherine purchased Diderot’s library... Then paid him a salary to be her “librarian.” Some rights reserved by geishaboy500

Queens Dig Me! Catherine corresponded with Voltaire, who appreciated her flattery.

Uprising of peasants & Cossacks on the Russian frontier Pugachev’s Rebellion 1773-1775 Uprising of peasants & Cossacks on the Russian frontier

CRUSHED

Why would Pugachev have been celebrated as a hero during the Soviet era?

REFORM

Catherine was too dependent on the support of the nobility to make serious modernizing reforms (e.g., serfdom).

Territorial Expansion Catherine was extremely successful in her quest for territorial expansion. Subjugated the last descendants of the Mongols and the Crimean Tartars and began the conquest of the Caucasus. After huge victories over the Turks between 1768- 1772, Frederick of Prussia proposed Turkey be let off easily. Prussia, Russia and Austria would divide up Polish territory as compensation By 1795, after three partitions, the republic of Poland vanished off the map.

Joseph II Austria

MOST Radical LEAST Effective

Co-Ruler with Maria Theresa 1765-1780

Religious Toleration Joseph’s generous religious toleration policy included private worship for Jews. Some rights reserved by disavian

Map of the Austrian Empire Multi-Ethnic Empire

Centralization of Administration

Reforms Administrative reforms strengthened the central bureaucracy. Smoothed out provincial differences Revamped the tax system Reduction in the power of lords over their serfs and peasant tenants improved the lot of the agricultural population.

REFORM

REFORM Joseph abolished “serfdom” and granted more rights to peasants (although landlords retained some control).

Joseph’s successors undid many of his reforms. Some rights reserved by Matt McGee

The Enlightened Absolutists Catherine II (Russia) Frederick II (Prussia) Joseph II (Austria)