Section 8.37 Enlightened Despotism: France, Austria, Prussia

Enlightened despots differed from absolutists Similar Reform Activities –Drained marshes, codified law, repressed localism, curtailed power of church and nobles, trained a salaried officialdom Differences Attitude –Said little of Divine Right, hereditary rights –Justified authority on grounds of usefulness –Rule by the use of reason –Frederick the Great (first servant of the state) Tempo –Impatient with custom, less willing to compromise Secular –Favored toleration in religion Idea of the state is changing –From estate: private property of the king –To state: abstract authority exercised by public officers and king is the highest: executive Rise of enlightened despots was helped by wars of the 1700s

The Failure of Enlightened Despotism in France Least success in France Louis XV was indifferent to ruling –Après moi le deluge (After me the deluge) Those around him were enlightened Inequality/Inefficient tax collection Taille = land tax paid by peasants –Nobles, Church, and most bourgeoisie were exempt Thought taxes were degrading Resisted because they were kept out of policymaking of France Not enough money could be raised “twentieth” was passed but resisted by the parlements

René-Nicolas-Charles-Augustin de Maupeou chancellor of France (1768–74) chief mover in the attempt of King Louis XV to master the Parlement and end its opposition to the fiscal measures needed to replenish the treasury. dissolved (1771) all the parlements exiled the magistrates from Paris abolished the sale of many offices. substituted a new high court (nominating all the members) and a system of superior courts they had no property rights, became salaried officials forbidden to reject govt. edicts or pass on their constitutionality became highly unpopular with the nobility, whose interests had been protected by the parlement Reforms viewed as tyrannical by some philosophes Could have prevented “the deluge”

Louis XVI comes to power 20 years old in 1774 Wanted to govern well but could not bear to offend people Revoked Maupeou’s reforms Restored the old parliaments Appointed Jacques Turgot to a ministry of reform 1761 to 1774, Turgot was chief administrator (intendant) for Limoges –One of the poorest areas of France Became a showpiece for enlightened administration "Six Edicts" –Suppressed the guilds –Replaced the corvee with a uniform tax on all –l'impôt unique (the single tax on property) Refused to appoint Queen Marie Antoinette’s friends Forced to resign "Do not forget, Sire, that it was feebleness that placed the head of Charles I on the block." Replaced by Jacques Necker in 1776

Austria: The Reforms of Maria Theresa War of the Austrian Succession exposed weakness Lack on unity, common purpose Maria Theresa initiates reform under diverse leadership –Moravians, Austrians, Czechs, Hungarians in ministry Kaunitz, a Moravian –Prevented dissolution of the monarchy by enlarging and guaranteeing the flow of taxes and soldiers Hungary was left alone Creates free trade zone (Bohemia, Moravia, Austrian) Limited guilds consolidate the bureaucracy of much of the empire Serfdom –Passed laws against the abuse of serfs –Limited robot MT motives probably more humanitarian –also to increase army She was cautious

Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor Moves abruptly ‘greatest good for the greatest number’ Abolishes serfdom Equalized taxes Equality under the law –Punishments were made less cruel Freedom of the press Religious toleration –Equal rights to Jews –Demanded increased power in the appointment of church officials –Suppressed monasteries

Makes German the official language –Arouses nationalistic resistance (Poles, Czechs, Magyars) Reforms the bureaucracy –training courses, promotion schedules, pensions, efficiency reports, inspections Created a secret police to monitor reform efforts –ironic that 1st police state built as instrument of enlightenment and reform Few of his reforms prove lasting Showed the limitations of enlightened despots died in 1790 at 49 Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor

Prussia under Frederick the Great (Old Fritz) Codified law Made the law courts cheaper, more expeditious, and more honest Gave religious freedom Decreed a modicum of education for all children Clear social divisions existed to support the military (almost segregated) Peasants used as soldiers & Junkers commanded the army Paid different taxes, couldn’t buy property from other classes Serfs still “hereditary subjects and not free to leave, marry, etc. Little reform was achieved for serfs (not as bad off as their neighbors) Didn’t gamble serfs away as property Leadership was centralized around Frederick “No one reasons, everyone executes!” Collapse of Prussia under Napoleon showed the weakness of government by a mastermind

Frederick and Voltaire