Enlightened Despots
Effects of the Enlightenment
• England
– Civil war and establishment of a limited
monarchy
– Anger in the colonies because they are treated
differently than "mother England"
• France
– No immediate change but seething discontent
that will lead to revolution
• Other countries
– Attempts to adopt Enlightenment principles
Enlightened Despots
• Frederick II of Prussia (r. 17401786)
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Rebelled against father
Later developed finest army
Built Sans Souci (Potsdam)
Invited Voltaire to the court
Enlightened Despots
• Catherine the Great of
Russia (r. 1762-1796)
– German born wife of Czar
Peter III
– Controlled government after
Peter III’s accidental(?) death
– Increased European culture in
Russia
– Peasant Reforms
– Territorial Expansion
– Corresponded with Diderot
Enlightened Despots
• Gustav III of Sweden (r.
1771-1792)
– Forced Parliament to accept
new constitution
– Stimulated literature
• Charles III of Spain (r.
1759-1788)
– Bourbon family
– Improved life for Spanish
– Suppressed Jesuits
Maria Theresa and Joseph II of Austria
(r. 1740-1780)
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16 children
Built Schönbrunn
Economic reforms
Limited power of the Pope
Reduced power of the lords
Joseph abolished serfdom
Poland divided
Enlightened Despots vs. Absolute Rulers
• Focused on
improving country
• Reluctant to
change
• Economic reform
• Economic
disasters
• Sought advise
• Dictated
Thank You