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Enlightened Absolutism

Enlightened Absolutism. Objective. To understand the concept of “Enlightened Absolutism” To identify “Enlightened Despots” To understand why they were “Enlightened”. Enlightened Absolutism. Absolute monarchs who were influenced by the Age of Enlightenment

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Enlightened Absolutism

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  1. Enlightened Absolutism

  2. Objective • To understand the concept of “Enlightened Absolutism” • To identify “Enlightened Despots” • To understand why they were “Enlightened”

  3. Enlightened Absolutism • Absolute monarchs who were influenced by the Age of Enlightenment • Objective was to rule rationally and efficiently • Ultimate goal was further consolidation of power

  4. Frederick the Great • King of Prussia (1740-1786) • Transformed Prussia into a major power • Built up government bureaucracy • Reformed legal system • Built up infrastructure • Allowed religious toleration • Considered himself “Servant of the State”

  5. Maria Theresa • Empress of Austria (1740-1780) • Made government more efficient • Regulated treatment of serfs • Reformed educational system

  6. Joseph II • Holy Roman Emperor (1780-1790) • Continued policies of Maria Theresa • Goal was to centralize government • Allowed religious toleration • Placed Roman Catholic churches under government control • Policies resisted by the nobility

  7. Catherine the Great • Empress of Russia (1762-1796) after period of instability • Gave privileges to the nobility • Extended Russian territory • Corresponded with philosophes • But had no intention of using their ideas

  8. The Partition of Poland • Russia, Austria, and Prussia expanding their territories • Poland stood in the way • Weak Polish government encouraged Russia, Austria, and Prussia to divide Poland among themselves between 1772-1795 • Poland disappears from the map for more than 100 years

  9. Conclusion • The Age of Enlightenment was a period of intellectual exchange • Philosophes believed that society could be improved by the use of reason • European absolute monarchs become influenced by the Enlightenment by ruling rationally to maintain power

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