Enlightened Despots Were they really influenced by the Enlightenment?

Joseph II Joseph II ( ) was an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a German- based empire in western and central Europe. He was co-ruler with his mother, Maria Theresa, from 1765 to After his mother died in 1780, Joseph was sole ruler until his death. Joseph II ( ) was an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a German- based empire in western and central Europe. He was co-ruler with his mother, Maria Theresa, from 1765 to After his mother died in 1780, Joseph was sole ruler until his death.

Joseph’s Reforms After he began ruling the Holy Roman Empire alone, Joseph made reforms that he felt would enable his subjects to be more productive citizens. For example, he abolished serfdom and devised a new system of taxation of land. Also, he issued edicts of religious toleration. The Roman Catholic Church was the dominant church of the empire, but Joseph extended rights to Jews, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants. After he began ruling the Holy Roman Empire alone, Joseph made reforms that he felt would enable his subjects to be more productive citizens. For example, he abolished serfdom and devised a new system of taxation of land. Also, he issued edicts of religious toleration. The Roman Catholic Church was the dominant church of the empire, but Joseph extended rights to Jews, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants.

Joseph’s Failures Joseph’s reform programs were largely failures Joseph’s reform programs were largely failures He alienated the nobles by freeing the serfs He alienated the nobles by freeing the serfs He alienated the Catholic Church He alienated the Catholic Church He also became unpopular because of costly and unsuccessful attempts to expand his empire. He also became unpopular because of costly and unsuccessful attempts to expand his empire. In 1787, he joined Russia in a war against the Ottoman Empire. Joseph and his army, which he commanded himself, suffered humiliating defeat. His health was broken, and he died before the war ended. In 1787, he joined Russia in a war against the Ottoman Empire. Joseph and his army, which he commanded himself, suffered humiliating defeat. His health was broken, and he died before the war ended.

Frederick II ( ), the third king of Prussia, became known as Frederick the Great. He started his reign in May 1740 and ruled until his death. ( ), the third king of Prussia, became known as Frederick the Great. He started his reign in May 1740 and ruled until his death.

Frederick II has been called an "enlightened despot" because he supported the progressive ideas and reforms of the period of history called the Enlightenment or Age of Reason has been called an "enlightened despot" because he supported the progressive ideas and reforms of the period of history called the Enlightenment or Age of Reason

Frederick II and Reform Was a very educated and most cultured monarch during his time Was a very educated and most cultured monarch during his time Even invited Voltaire to live at his court Even invited Voltaire to live at his court Abolished the use of torture except in treason or murder cases Abolished the use of torture except in treason or murder cases Granted limited freedom of speech and press Granted limited freedom of speech and press Allowed religious tolerance Allowed religious tolerance

Frederick the Great a short video Watch and listen. Watch and listen. lasfw lasfw lasfw lasfw

Catherine the Great ( ) ruled as empress of Russia from 1762 until her death. ( ) ruled as empress of Russia from 1762 until her death. Catherine was born in Poland on May 2, At the age of 16, she went to St. Petersburg, Russia, and married Peter, the weak and incompetent successor to the Russian throne. He became Emperor Peter III in 1762 but was deposed later that year by Catherine and her allies and was assassinated. Catherine succeeded Peter to the throne as Catherine II. Catherine was born in Poland on May 2, At the age of 16, she went to St. Petersburg, Russia, and married Peter, the weak and incompetent successor to the Russian throne. He became Emperor Peter III in 1762 but was deposed later that year by Catherine and her allies and was assassinated. Catherine succeeded Peter to the throne as Catherine II.

Catherine’s Reforms Early in her reign, Catherine became interested in the liberal ideas of her time, called the Enlightenment because its great thinkers emphasized the use of reason. She built schools and hospitals, encouraged smallpox vaccination, promoted the education of women, and extended religious tolerance. Early in her reign, Catherine became interested in the liberal ideas of her time, called the Enlightenment because its great thinkers emphasized the use of reason. She built schools and hospitals, encouraged smallpox vaccination, promoted the education of women, and extended religious tolerance.

What do you think of Catherine?

Was Catherine really Enlightened? But Catherine did little to grant basic civil rights to the majority of the Russian people. She tightened landowners' control over the serfs, and she forcefully put down a peasant revolt. Except for raising the status of nobles and merchants, she carried out few social reforms. But Catherine did little to grant basic civil rights to the majority of the Russian people. She tightened landowners' control over the serfs, and she forcefully put down a peasant revolt. Except for raising the status of nobles and merchants, she carried out few social reforms.