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Enlightened Despotism and Revolution

Enlightened Despotism and Revolution. The Enlightened Despots. A group of rulers in central and eastern Europe Favorable reaction to Enlightenment Some freedom, but they’re still in charge “Absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change”.

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Enlightened Despotism and Revolution

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  1. Enlightened Despotism and Revolution

  2. The Enlightened Despots • A group of rulers in central and eastern Europe • Favorable reaction to Enlightenment • Some freedom, but they’re still in charge • “Absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change”

  3. Frederick the Great, Prussia • Rationalize agriculture and business methods • Codify and simplify Prussian legal system • Improve conditions of peasants • Reduced use of torture • Tolerated religious differences • Free press • What prevented him from making progress? • Nobility

  4. Maria Theresa, Austria • Maria Theresa: 40 year rule • Consolidate: administration, military, financial affairs • Reformed tax system • New judicial system • What prevented progress in economic field? • Nobility

  5. Joseph II, Austria • 1780-1790 • Continued mother’s reforms • Abolished serfdom in lands owned by crown • Increase literacy of Austrian population • Freedom of the press (no censorship) • Limited freedom of religion • Who backlashed against these reforms? • Nobility

  6. Catherine the Great, Russia • Born in Germany, m. Tsar Peter III • Coup in 1792- Peter killed and Catherine in power • “true follower” of Enlightenment • Corresponded with Voltaire; patron to Diderot • Accomplishments: • New legal system • Literacy to upper class • Private printing firms • Secularized lands owned by Orthodox church • Abolished torture • Religious tolerance • Difficulties: • Nobility • Conditions for serfs • Living conditions declined

  7. An enlightened New World • British N. Amer. Colonies • Dissatisfied with mother country • 1776- declared independence

  8. New United States Government • Victory over British, 1783 • 1787- delegates to Philadelphia to write a Constitution • Constitution + Bill of Rights = gov’t that used the ideas of the philosophes • Checks & balances- Montesquieu • Freedoms- Locke • Liberties exceeded those offered in Europe at the time

  9. Remaining questions… • How will the ideas of the philosophes affect the politics of France? • France’s rulers immune to call for change • Tensions growing among an educated middle-class • Boiling point and lots of HANGER

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