Questions and Answers
What characterizes Enlightened Absolutism?
Who were some key rulers of Enlightened Absolutism?
Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, Austrian Habsburgs
What were some enlightened policies implemented by Frederick the Great?
Freedom of religion, simplification of laws, improvements in education
Catherine the Great was known for supporting serfdom in Russia.
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What were Catherine the Great's three main goals?
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What reforms did Maria Theresa introduce following the War of Austrian Succession?
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Joseph II abolished serfdom and was widely accepted by both nobility and peasants.
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What legacy did Enlightened Absolutism leave regarding social justice?
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Study Notes
Enlightened Absolutism
- Monarchs adopted Enlightenment ideals while maintaining absolute power.
- Key figures include Frederick the Great (Prussia), Catherine the Great (Russia), and the Austrian Habsburgs (Austria).
Frederick the Great
- Prussian ruler in the 18th century known for military successes.
- Key conflicts:
- European War of Austrian Succession: expanded territory by taking Silesia and doubling population.
- Seven Years' War: successfully defended against Austria and France.
- Instituted enlightened policies post-war:
- Encouraged freedom of religion and philosophical thought.
- Advanced education and improved schools; welcomed scholarly publications.
- Simplified laws, eliminated torture, and ensured fair judicial processes.
- Promoted agricultural and industrial reconstruction.
- Maintained absolutism:
- Continued serfdom and didn't emancipate serfs on his estates.
- Privileged the nobility, crucial for the military's support.
- Imposed restrictions on Jews, relegating them to ghettos and limiting their rights.
Catherine the Great
- Ascended to the throne at 15 after overthrowing Peter III.
- Goals included:
- Westernization of Russia: invited western architects and collaborated with Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire.
- Domestic reforms: restricted torture, allowed limited religious freedom, improved education, and strengthened local governance.
- Territorial expansion: partitioned Poland among Russia, Prussia, and Austria after military successes.
- Absolute rule characterized by oppressive serfdom:
- Pugachev's Rebellion led to intensified control over serfs.
- Nobility received extensive privileges, exempting them from taxes and state service.
Austrian Habsburgs
- Maria Theresa aimed to strengthen the state post-War of Austrian Succession, focusing on:
- Reducing papal political influence through legislative measures.
- Administrative reforms to enhance the central bureaucracy and tax efficiency.
- Improving conditions for the agricultural population by limiting lord control over serfs.
- Joseph II:
- Abolished serfdom and mandated cash payment for peasant labor.
- Reforms faced backlash from both nobility and peasants due to lack of cash resources.
Legacy of Enlightened Absolutism
- Rulers blended traditional state-building with Enlightenment culture and thought.
- Failure to abolish serfdom highlights shortcomings in Enlightenment ideals concerning equality and social justice.
- Several Enlightenment philosophers overlooked the oppressive policies of eastern absolutists, revealing a gap in contemporary critical thinking.
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Description
Explore the concept of Enlightened Absolutism and its key figures in this quiz. Learn about monarchs who embraced Enlightenment ideals while maintaining their absolute power, such as Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great. Test your knowledge with flashcards that cover essential terms and definitions.
