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Enlightened Absolutism

Enlightened Absolutism. Overview. Most philosophes did no favor Montesquieu’s or Rousseau’s gov’t reforms They looked to existing monarchies Promoted power toward rationalization of economic/political strucutres

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Enlightened Absolutism

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  1. Enlightened Absolutism

  2. Overview • Most philosophes did no favor Montesquieu’s or Rousseau’s gov’t reforms • They looked to existing monarchies • Promoted power toward rationalization of economic/political strucutres • European rulers who embraced reforms of philosophes were enlightened absolute monarchs. • They embraced ideas to increase military and diplomatic power in Europe; become more competitive.

  3. 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

  4. Maria Theresa (r. 1740-1780) Consolidated central power of crown Limited autonomy of regions Wanted to make gov’t efficient. Limited the burden of peasants on the robot. Wanted an able supply of soldiers

  5. Joseph II (r. 1765-1790) Continued strengthening the crown. Asserted state control over the RCC Tried to improve economic conditions

  6. Joseph II Encouraged religious toleration

  7. Frederick II (1740-1786) Admired philosophes Codified laws made legal system more efficient Promoted religious freedom and religious toleration Compulsory education for all No limits on Junkers State dominated by military

  8. Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) One of greatest rulers in European history · As a reformer, perhaps the least “enlightened” of the Enlightened Despots She was a lover of French culture and considered herself a child of the Enlightenment

  9. Catherine the Great Considered freeing serfs until the Pugachev rebellion (1773). Gave boyars complete control over serfs, gaining favor from boyars.

  10. Imported western culture into Russia a. Architects, artists, musicians and writers were invited to Russia b. Culturally, Russia gained the respect of western European countries Educational reforms a. Supported the first private printing presses. · The number of books published annually in Russia increased to about 400 during her reign from a couple dozen. b. School for noble girls founded Restricted torture

  11. Shortcomings of Catherine’s reforms • Only the state and the nobility benefited; the rest of the Russian population benefited little, if at all • Nobles gained more legal and financial security from the state • Nobles freed from taxes or state service • Serfdom became even more severe • Nobles had complete control over their serfs and could mete out arbitrary punishments (even death) • Only nobles could own land

  12. Territorial Growth a. Annexed Polish territory under the 3 partitions with Prussia and Austria in 1772, 1793 & 1795 b. Gained Ottoman land in the Crimea that was controlled by the Tartars. c. Began conquest of the Caucasus region. d. Expansion provided Catherine with new lands with which to give the nobility (to earn their loyalty)

  13. End of the Enlightenment in Central and Eastern Europe. • Innovations in Russia, Prussia, and Austria met with resistance. • Prussia – Frederick II grew old and distant. Aristocrats regained power & controlled military/society • Austria – Joseph II’s reforms brought revolt. He turned to censorship and his secret police • Russia – Rebellion and the Fr. Rev. brought an end to reform.

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