THE ENLIGHTENED DESPOTS OF EUROPE

What is an Enlightened Despot• Enlightened monarchs embraced the

principles of the Enlightenment, especially its emphasis upon rationality, and applied them to their territories. They tended to allow– religious toleration, – freedom of speech – the press– the right to hold private property.

Most fostered the arts, sciences, and education

Simplified laws

Tried to improve education

Unfortunately their motivation for undertaking such changes was to make their countries and their power over their countries stronger

FREDERICK THE GREAT

• - Frederick the Great of Prussia

• 1740-1786• Tight control • Admired Voltaire• Religious tolerance• Make Gov’t more

efficient• Servant of the State

Frederick the Great of Prussia (r. 1740-1786)

► 1712 -– 1786.1712 -– 1786.

► Succeeded his Succeeded his father,father, Frederick William I Frederick William I (the “Soldier (the “Soldier King”).King”).

► He saw himselfHe saw himself as the as the “First“First Servant of the Servant of the State.”State.”

Joseph II of Austria (r. 1765-1790)

► 1741 -– 1741 -– 1790.1790.

► His mother His mother waswas Maria Maria Theresa.Theresa.

JOSEPH II OF HAPSBURG• Most radical despot• Succeeds Maria Theresa• Student of

enlightenment• Uses middle class

instead of nobles• Political and legal

reforms• Religious toleration• No censorship• Abolished serfdom• Revolutionary monarch

Habsburg Family Crest

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796)

► German German PrincessPrincess Sophie Sophie FriederikeFriederike Auguste of Auguste of Anhalt- Anhalt-Zerbst.Zerbst.

► 1729 -– 1729 -– 1796.1796.

CATHERINE THE GREAT

• Russia empress 1762• Exchanged letters with

Voltaire and Diderot• Praised Voltaire• Experimented with

enlightened ideas• Reformed laws• Nobles Charter of Rights• Gave up no power• Expanded empire

1767: Catherine summons the 1767: Catherine summons the LegislativeLegislative Commission. Commission.

1768-1774: Russo-Turkish War.1768-1774: Russo-Turkish War.

1771-1775: Pugachev Rebellion is 1771-1775: Pugachev Rebellion is suppressed.suppressed.

1772: First partition of Poland.1772: First partition of Poland.

1785: Charter of Nobility.1785: Charter of Nobility.

1793: Second partition of 1793: Second partition of Poland.Poland.

1795: Third partition of Poland. 1795: Third partition of Poland.

Reformer? OR Despot?

Reformer? OR Despot?

She died while attempting an unusual practice with a horse – Not true – probably started by the French elite soon after she died as a way to mar her reputation.

She died on the toilet – and her body was so bloated that she shattered the toilet – this more recent rumor that emerged also as an attempt to humiliate, and mar her reputation.

Partition of PolandAllows for territorial expansion, as well increase in power of the leaders

Poland split between Russia, Prussia and Austria

1st partition takes place in 1772

All three take a piece

By 1795 all of Poland is absorbed by Big 3 and Poland is no more

The Partitions of Poland

- - 17721772

- - 17931793

- - 17951795

Russian Expansionism in the Late 18c

ARTS AND LITERATURE

• Baroque- large colorful and exciting• Rembrandt van Rijn - Dutch painter

– No frills classical painter, greatest everBach wrote beautiful religious works- LutheranHandel MessiahMozart- Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute

( written about the enlightenment)Daniel Defoe “Robinson Crusoe”

ARTIST OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Rembrandt

Daniel Defoe

Mozart

Handel

Effects of the EnlightenmentUsed enlightened ideas to Used enlightened ideas to increase powerincrease power

More humane laws and More humane laws and practice helped populations practice helped populations become more productivebecome more productive

Each wanted greater state Each wanted greater state power but went about getting power but went about getting it in different waysit in different ways