1. 18th Century Age of the Enlightenment Part II
Ch. 17 Part II
Enlightened Absolutism
-Frederick the Great of Prussia
-Catherine The Great of Russia
-Joseph II of Austria

2. Enlightened Absolutist
Absolutists in the 18th century attempted to apply the principles of the Enlightenment in their kingdoms
Many philosophes supported strong monarchy as the best tool to implement the goals and ideals of the Enlightenment

3. “Let us admit the truth: the arts and philosophy extend to only the few; the vast mass, the common people and the bulk of the nobility, remain what nature has made them, that is to say savage beasts.”
--Frederick the Great to Voltaire

4. IT’S A TRAP!

5. T R A P

6. Toleration of religious minorities R A P

7. Toleration of religious minorities Reform of institutions A P

8. Toleration of religious minorities Reform of institutions Absolutism (Duh!) P

9. Toleration of religious minorities Reform of institutions Absolutism (Duh!) Patronage of the philosophes

10. The Enlightened Absolutists
Catherine II Frederick II Joseph II (Russia) (Prussia) (Austria)

11. Frederick “the Great”
Prussia

12. Frederick II “The Great”
Saw himself as the First SERVANT of the state
Anti-Machiavel (1740)
Frederick argued against Machiavelli that a ruler should be chiefly concerned with the well-being of his subjects.
Patronage
Frederick corresponded with Voltaire, who was a regular guest at his court before their relationship soured

13. Religious Toleration
Frederick expanded religious toleration in Prussia, but still favored Protestants for key government posts.
Frederick was a skeptic himself

14. Civil Service Reform
Frederick reformed the Prussian bureaucracy, allowed for men of non-noble birth to fill senior government posts.
Meritocracy

15. Militarism
Frederick continued to support a highly militarized state, contrary to the principles of the Enlightenment.

16. Critical Thinking?
In what ways did Frederick the Great successfully advance Enlightenment principles in Prussia? What factors limited his success?

17. Catherine “the Great”
Russia

18. Assassination?
Catherin’s husband, Peter III, died less than a year after taking the throne– likely by assassination

19. Patronage Catherine purchased Diderot’s library…
Then paid him a salary to be her “librarian.”
Catherine corresponded with Voltaire, who appreciated her flattery

20. Pugachev’s Rebellion 1773-1775
Showed lack of Catherine’s reform
Uprising of peasants & Cossacks on the Russian frontier

21. Catherine was Weak on Reform
Catherine was too dependent on the support of the nobility to make serious modernizing reforms (e.g. serfdom or legal changes).
Light on the reform
Heavy on Patronage

22. Self-Quiz
Catherine the Great rolled out an ambitious program of Enlightenment-inspired reforms in Russia.
True
False

23. Self-Quiz
Catherine the Great rolled out an ambitious program of Enlightenment-inspired reforms in Russia.
True
False

24. Joseph II
Austria

25. Most Radical Least Effective

26. Co-Ruler with Maria Theresa

27. Generous Religious Toleration
Joseph's policy included private worship for Jews.

28. Multi-Ethnic State
Attempted to Centralized Administration *Lots of push back

29. Reformer
Joseph abolished “serfdom” and granted more rights to peasants (although landlords retained some control)

30. Most Radical Least Effective

31. Joseph II knew he was un-effective
“Here lies Joseph II, who failed in all he undertook.” -Self suggested epitaph

32. Self-quiz
Can you remember the four characteristics of enlightened absolutism?

33. IT’S A TRAP!

34. Toleration of religious minorities Reform of institutions Absolutism (Duh!) Patronage of the philosophes