1. “Enlightened Despots”
Most of Europe was ruled by absolute monarchs
Enlightened Monarchs
Frederick II, Prussia
Catherine the Great, Russia
Maria Theresa, Austria
Joseph II, Holy Roman Empire
Gustav III, Sweden
Napoleon I, France
During the time of the Enlightenment, most of the countries in continental Europe were ruled by monarchs who exercised absolute power. Many of these monarchs read Enlightenment works and were intrigued by the new ideas thinkers put forth. The philosophes thought that an “enlightened” monarch could implement their ideas, which would result in better laws and a general improvement in the quality of life for all citizens. Some thinkers did end up corresponding with or advising European monarchs and eventually influenced many to put a range of Enlightenment ideals into practice.

2. Impact of the Philosophes
Believed the best form of government was a monarchy in which the ruler respected the people’s rights
Tried to convince monarchs to rule justly
Some thinkers ended up corresponding with or advising European monarchs
Voltaire advised Fredrick the Great

3. Enlightened Despots
Some monarch’s embraced the new ideas and made reforms that reflected the enlightenment ideals
However, they had no intention of giving up any power
The changes they made were motivated by two desires:
to make their countries stronger
to make their own rule more effective

4. Frederick the Great of Prussia (1740–1786)
Enlightened Reforms
Granted religious freedoms
Reduced censorship
Improved education
Reformed the justice system
Abolished the use of torture
Frederick II of Prussia, often called “Frederick the Great,” was fascinated with Enlightenment philosophy. He also was drawn to the arts: not only did he strongly support them during his reign, he also composed poems, essays, and several pieces of music. Frederick also loved all things French: he was such a Francophile that he preferred to speak and write in French rather than German. He greatly admired Voltaire and invited him to come to Prussia as his personal guest. Voltaire accepted and ended up living in Berlin and Potsdam for two years.

5. Frederick the Great
Fredrick believed that serfdom was wrong but did nothing to end it since he needed the support of the wealthy landowners
As a result, he never tried to changed the existing social order
This demonstrates the limitations of his devotion to Enlightenment ideals

6. Fredrick the Great
Most important contribution was his attitude toward being king
Called himself “the first servant of the state”
His goal was to serve and strengthen his country
Wanted to transform Prussia into a modern state

7. Catherine the Great Russia (1762–1796)
Took over the government after she had her husband arrested and confined
Determined to “westernize” Russia
Introduced Enlightened ideals to the Russian elite
Backed efforts to modernize industry and agriculture
Catherine II of Russia, often called “Catherine the Great,” was also attracted to Enlightenment ideas. She immersed herself in the works of leading thinkers, focusing in particular on the French philosophes. She corresponded with such notables as Voltaire and Diderot and also composed several comedies, works of fiction, and memoirs.
During her reign, she made determined efforts to “westernize” Russia. In the cultural arena, she brought in several leading European intellectuals in order to introduce the Russian elite to Enlightenment ideas. She also bought and imported a vast amount of art. Economically, she made attempts to get foreign capitalists to invest in Russia; she also championed efforts to modernize industry and agriculture.

8. Catherine the Great
In 1767, she formed a commission to review Russia’s laws
Proposed reforms to the legal code based on the ideas of Montesquieu
She recommended allowing religious toleration and abolishing torture and capital punishment
The commission accomplished none of her goals

9. Catherine the Great
She did little to improve the lives of the Russian peasants
Her views about enlightened ideas changed after a massive uprising by serfs in 1773
After the revolt, she was convinced she needed the support of the nobles to maintain her throne
She gave the nobles absolute power over the serfs, who lost all freedom

10. Catherine the Great Greatest contribution was land expansion
Controlled the northern shore of the Black Sea
Gained access to the Mediterranean sea through the Ottoman controlled straights
Expanded westward in to Poland

11. Joseph II Austria (1765–1790) Most radical royal reformer Reforms
Legal reforms
Freedom of the press
Freedom of worship
Joseph ruled as co-regent with his mother beginning in Like other “enlightened” monarchs, he believed in the power of reason; however, the measures he undertook once he became sole ruler in 1780 were much more radical than those instituted by other monarchs. He encouraged religious toleration of Protestants and Jews; he reduced the power of the Catholic Church in Austria and brought it more firmly under his control; and, in his most controversial measure, he abolished serfdom and decreed that peasants be paid in cash for their labors. This cash proviso, however, infuriated the nobles and was even rejected by the peasants, who preferred a barter economy. Joseph’s power and health both waned in succeeding years, and his reforms didn’t last long after his death in 1790.

12. Joseph II Most radical reform was the abolition of serfdom
He ordered all peasants be paid for their labor in cash
The nobles firmly resisted the change
After his death, many of his reforms were undone

13. Changing Relationship Between Ruler and State
Old Idea
As Louis XIV reportedly said “I am the state.”
The state and its citizens exist to serve the monarch.
New Idea
As Fredrick the Great said, a ruler is only “the first servant of the state.”
The monarch exists to serve the state and support citizen’s welfare.