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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS Centralization of power & uniformity of law Emphasized military strength Secular in basis, promotion of religious toleration Rationalizing & reforming Aimed at strengthening state, justified as beneficial to all, & reducing local authority
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
AUSTRIA: MARIA THERESA & JOSEPH II MARIA THERESA (r ) Strengthened central power of crown Limited autonomy of regions Aimed at making govt. more efficient Limited burden on peasants, reduced ROBOT Main concern = healthy pool of military recruits
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
AUSTRIA: MARIA THERESA & JOSEPH II JOSEPH II (r ) Continued strengthening central authority Asserted royal authority over church Promoted religious toleration Tried to improve economic conditions
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
AUSTRIA: MARIA THERESA & JOSEPH II JOSEPH II (r ) Reformed judicial system & rationalized laws Enacted far-reaching reforms of rural social structure Abolished serfdom & robot
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
PRUSSIA: FREDERICK II , THE GREAT (r ) Great admirer of philosophes & their ideas Codified laws & made legal system more efficient Promoted religious freedom & toleration Extended rudimentary education to all
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
PRUSSIA: FREDERICH II, THE GREAT (r ) No changes to social hierarchy No limitations on JUNKERS’ (nobles’) power State continued to be dominated by military Economy highly centralized
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
RUSSIA: CATHERINE II, THE GREAT (r ) Admired enlightenment thought Based legal reform on Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws Granted limited religious toleration Allowed limited social criticism Expanded education & encouraged scholarship
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ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM
RUSSIA: CATHERINE II, THE GREAT (r ) But her liberalism was limited Upheld institutions of serfdom & autocracy Restricted Jews to living in PALE OF SETTLEMENT Became increasingly conservative Stopped Polish reforms & crushed insurrection
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