Chapter 10, Section 3 – Impact of the Enlightenment Agenda: Bellringer – Absolutism v. Enlightened Absolutism Section 3 notes Enlightened Absolutists 3. Sections 3 & 4 notes (pt.1) Outcome: Students will be able to explain how absolutist rulers responded to the ideas of the Enlightenment.

Bell Ringer What do you think are the differences between Absolute and Enlightened rulers. (List 3)

Absolutism v. Enlightenment Complete control speech, religion, press, military, and people Tools – censorship, torture, imprisonment without trial, military, secret police, etc… Enlightenment Equality before the law, religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to assemble, right to own property, trial by jury, due process, no cruel and unusual punishment, etc…

Enlightened Absolutist Ideals Religious tolerance Economic reform Legal reform Rule judged by usefulness to society

Enlightened Absolutist Characteristics No divine right rule Value philosophy, music, writing Ruler still had absolute power Control of all govt. power Used power for good of people

Frederick II of Prussia (r. 1740 –1786) In Prussia Frederick II (also called Frederick the Great) made minimal changes Abolished torture (except for treason and murder), allowed limited freedom of speech and press, greater freedom of religion (only to Christians, not other religions) Improved the country’s schools But, did not abolish serfdom (slavery) or the social structure

Catherine II of Russia (r. 1762 –1796) Peter the Great was followed by six weak czars Peter III was murdered and his wife Catherine II became the ruler Catherine the Great, agreed with the enlightenment philosophes (Remember Diderot?) however, her success depended on the support of the Russian nobility which left her helpless to change things Some religious tolerance to protestant faiths Her legacy is the expansion of Russian territory, not enlightenment

Joseph II of Austria (r. 1764 –1790) Of the major rulers of Europe only Joseph II of Austria made enlightenment changes Abolished serfdom, eliminated the death penalty, equality before the law Some toleration of Protestant faiths Removed some restrictions on Jews Confiscated church land Reduced power of Pope Church revenues became state revenues Ultimately, he made enemies of the nobility and the church

Enlightened Absolutism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_i6wTa7yw