Impact of the Enlightenment

Enlightened Absolutism, War of Austrian Succession, Seven

Years War

Enlightened Absolutism

• Rulers tried to govern using Enlightenment principles while maintaining royal powers

• Monarchs allowed religious toleration, freedom of speech and press, rights of private property

• They obey laws and enforce laws fairly

Enlightened Monarchs

• Frederick the Great

• Maria Theresa

• Joseph II

• Catherine the Great

Map of Europe 1700’s

Frederick the Great

• Monarch of Prussia (1712-1786)

• Well versed in Enlightenment ideals

• Abolished use of torture, granted limited freedom of speech and press, granted some religious toleration

• Kept system of serfdom

Maria Theresa

• Austrian Monarch – 1740

• Not open to calls for reform

• Did improve conditions for serfs

• Supported a strong monarchy and their right to rule

Joseph II

• Austrian Monarch• Son of Maria Teresa• Believed need to sweep

away anything that stood in way of reason

• Abolished serfdom, eliminated slavery, enacted religious toleration

• Most everything he did, failed and was overturned upon his death

Catherine the Great

• Monarch of Russia (1762-1796)

• Seemed to favor reform early

• Did not enact any Enlightenment reforms

• Expanded serfdom to new territories

War of Austrian Succession

• 1740-1748• War that set up Seven Years War• Frederick II of Prussia did not recognize

Maria Theresa as Austrian ruler• He tried to take over Silesia• Alliances formed – France & Prussia vs

Austria & Enland• War ended with Prussia keeping control of

Silesia

Seven Years War (Europe)

• 1756-1763

• Major rivalry between Britain and France

• Alliances – Britain & Prussia vs France, Austria, & Russia

• War was fought over control of European territories

• War ends in stalemate – Austria recognizes Silesia as Prussian

Seven Years War (India)

• Known as Great War for Empire

• Britain defeats France in India

• Britain maintains control over India

Seven Years War (N America)

• Fought between Britain and France over control of N America

• British defeat France

• France turns over Canada, Spanish turn over Florida

• Britain becomes world’s leading colonial power