1. Enlightened Absolutism
Prussia, Austria, Russia

2. Absolutism vs Constitutionalism
Absolutism common
Exceptions: England and Dutch Republic
Enlightenment…challenges to traditional authority
“Enlightened Monarchs” or “Enlightened Despots” emerged

3. Enlightened Monarchy
Most philosophes supported a monarch who would protect the liberties of the people
Religious toleration, freedom of speech, private property, etc.
Monarchs had to be strong in order to impose such reforms….hence the term Enlightened Absolutism
Frederick II of Prussia
Joseph II of Austria
Catherine the Great of Russia

4. Frederick II Frederick the Great (ruled 1740-1786)
Lover of French culture, poetry, music
Fan of Voltaire
His father, Frederick William I, disapproved
Saw his son as a wimp and sissy
Frederick William had strengthened the Prussian government and improved the military

5. Frederick II
Ruled with absolute power, but with some enlightened reforms
Religious toleration
Outlawed torture except in cases of treason or murder
Codified laws
Limited freedom of speech and press
Increased power of Prussian military
He did not, however, do much to improve the lives of peasants
Peasants carried the tax burden while nobles often paid very little

6. Maria Theresa 1740, Charles VI died without a male heir
Pragmatic Sanction allowed female to inherit throne
Violated Salic Law, a tradition which prohibited females from ruling
His daughter, Maria Theresa, ascended to the throne
Other rulers saw this as a weakness and attempted to take land from Austria

7. Maria Theresa War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)
Prussia attacks Austria, attempting to take land while Austria is “weak”
France also attacks Austria (old rivals)
British allied with Austria to prevent French from gaining in power
France and Britain were fierce rivals and were on the verge of war with each other
Result:
Maria Theresa is recognized as the ruler of Austria
Prussia keeps Silesia, which increases the power of Prussia

8. Maria Theresa Ruled Austria from 1748-1780
Centralized and strengthened the Austrian government
Enlarged the Austrian military
More efficient tax collection
NOT a fan of religious freedom
Very Catholic
Famous children
Joseph II and Marie Antionette

9. Joseph II
Co-ruler with his mother from 1765 until her death. Implemented more reforms after her death
Freedom of speech and reduced censorship
Religious toleration (Edict of Toleration)
Banned torture, reduced death penalty, and applied laws equally to all social classes
Abolished serfdom
Land reforms making it easier for peasants to buy land
Made land owners pay taxes

10. Joseph II
Although his reforms benefitted the people, he was not a popular ruler
Did not consult advisors before making policies
Landowners and nobles disliked him
Dissent led him to tighten restrictions. He began to increase censorship again and tighten royal control
After his death, many of his reforms were changed back to original policies

11. Catherine the Great Westernization in Russia (Peter the Great)
Catherine continues his reforms
Ruled from
Catherine was a German princess, married Peter III
Peter III died (or was killed) and she took over
Absolute ruler who supported some ideas of the Enlightenment

12. Catherine the Great Catherine’s reforms Brutally suppressed rebellion
Encouraged westernization among boyars
Expansion of territory
Ex: Partitions of Poland (Prussia and Austria also benefit from the partitions)
Improved education
Brutally suppressed rebellion
Ex: Pugachev’s Rebellion…Rugachev was captured and quartered body publicly displayed