1. Absolute Monarchs

2. Absolute Monarch Ruler has ultimate governing authority
Power is hereditary & marital
Enlightened absolutism
a system in which rulers tried to govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining their full royal powers

3. Map of Absolute Monarchs

4. Frederick the Great Prussian King Well educated
Background
Enlightenment
Prussian King
Well educated
Son of Frederick William
Great Prussian military leader
Well versed in Enlightenment ideas
Invited Voltaire to live at court for 7 years
Abolished use of torture (except in murder & treason cases)
Religious tolerance
Freedom of press and speech
Established trials by impartial judges

5. Maria Theresa Archduchess of Austria Holy Roman Empress
Background
Enlightenment
Archduchess of Austria
Holy Roman Empress
Queen of Hungary & Bohemia
Only female ruler in 650 years of Hapsburg dynasty
Bore 16 children
Fought Frederick II of Prussia for control of Hungary and Silesia
Reorganized the government
Enlightened Despot
Eased tax burden on her people
Gave more rights to her subjects

6. Catherine the Great Successor to Peter the Great of Russia
Background
Enlightenment
Successor to Peter the Great of Russia
Favored nobility…led to worse conditions for peasants
Eventually began rebellion
Intelligent & familiar with enlightenment philosophy
Invited Diderot to court
Proposed political and financial reform
Catherine did not agree with some ideas

7. Peter the Great Tsar of Russia Self titled “the Great”
Background
Enlightenment
Tsar of Russia
Self titled “the Great”
Placed church under power of state
Opened School of Navigation & Math
School of Medicine
School of Engineering
School of Science
Newspaper produced for citizens
Applied western mercantilism to strengthen economy

8. Philip II
Sought to expand Spanish influence – ruled Spain when the empire was at its height. Included the Spanish New World
Devout: tried to strengthen Catholic church
Centralized royal power
Married Mary I of England – returned England to Catholicism
Invaded England with Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I – He lost most of the Armada.

9. Louis XIV
Sun King
Reigned for 72 years