1. Enlightened Absolutism

2. Rulers and Their Enlightenment
Political change should come from above
From the ruler, not from the people
Enlighten the monarch, who can then make changes
Government officials were attracted to the enlightenment

3. Enlightened Absolutism
The rule of 18th century monarchs
Adopted enlightenment ideals of rationalism, progress, happiness, and tolerance
Without giving up their absolute rule
Most effective changes were in Prussia, Russia, and Austria

4. Frederick the Great of Prussia
Determined to use the grand army his dad left him
He pounced on a part of Austria known as Silesia, led by Maria Theresa
Doubled the size of the population
Prussia was now a world power

5. International Opposition
Maria Theresa formed an alliance against him
Seven Years War
Frederick fought off army on all sides
Forced him to think not of territorial expansion, but domestic policies that strengthened his state

6. Social Change
Allowed people to believe in any religion or philosophy they wanted
Promoted advancement of knowledge
Improved schools
Permitted scholars to publish their findings

7. Political Change Laws were simplified
Torture of prisoners was abolished
Judges decided cases quickly and fairly
Reconstructed agriculture and industries

8. Failure to Keep Going Still accepted the practice of serfdom
Continued to expand the nobility
Imposed harsh rules on the Jewish community, despite the rise of a new Jewish Enlightenment

9. The Austrian Maria Theresa
After Frederick took Silesia, she focused on three major domestic changes
One: limited church’s political influence
Two: strengthened government and raised taxes
Three: reduced power of the lords over their serfs

10. Joseph II Hit the ground running when he came into power
Abolished serfdom
Instead of working, the serfs could pay off their land with cash
Rejected by nobles and serfs
Joseph died before it could pass

11. Catherine the Great of Russia
German princess
Her father commanded a regiment of the Prussian Army
Her mother was related to Russian nobles

12. Ruthless Takeover Married the emperor of Russia, Peter III
He withdrew his armies in the Seven Years War
Alienated the Russian Army
Catherine conspired with others to kill her husband and become the empress

13. Huge Enlightenment Fan
Had three main goals that gained support from enlightened thinkers
One: westernized Russia
Two: social changes, like religious tolerance and advancement of schools
Three: expand territory

14. Failure to Keep Going A gigantic uprising of serfs
Wanted serfdom abolished and taxes lowered
Although they failed, they caused Catherine to regret making changes
Gave absolute power to nobles and worsened conditions for serfs

15. Conclusion, the Rulers of the Enlightenment
Combined traditional old-fashioned politics with ideals of the enlightenment
Expanded the role of government in social life
Failed to make progress in things we find humane
The support of the enlightened thinkers shows how far they still had to go