Enlightened DespotsEnlightened Despots

Were they really influenced by Were they really influenced by the Enlightenment?the Enlightenment?

Joseph IIJoseph II Joseph IIJoseph II (1741- (1741-

1790) was an emperor 1790) was an emperor of the Holy Roman of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a Empire, which was a German-based empire German-based empire in western and central in western and central Europe. He was co-Europe. He was co-ruler with his mother, ruler with his mother, Maria Theresa, from Maria Theresa, from 1765 to 1780. After 1765 to 1780. After his mother died in his mother died in 1780, Joseph was sole 1780, Joseph was sole ruler until his death. ruler until his death.

Joseph’s ReformsJoseph’s Reforms After he began ruling the After he began ruling the

Holy Roman Empire alone, Holy Roman Empire alone, Joseph made reforms that Joseph made reforms that he felt would enable his he felt would enable his subjects to be more subjects to be more productive citizens. For productive citizens. For example, he abolished example, he abolished serfdom and devised a new serfdom and devised a new system of taxation of land. system of taxation of land. Also, he issued edicts of Also, he issued edicts of religious toleration. The religious toleration. The Roman Catholic Church was Roman Catholic Church was the dominant church of the the dominant church of the empire, but Joseph empire, but Joseph extended rights to Jews, extended rights to Jews, Orthodox Christians, and Orthodox Christians, and Protestants.Protestants.

Joseph’s FailuresJoseph’s Failures Joseph’s reform programs were largely failuresJoseph’s reform programs were largely failures He alienated the nobles by freeing the serfsHe alienated the nobles by freeing the serfs He alienated the Catholic Church He alienated the Catholic Church He also became unpopular because of costly He also became unpopular because of costly

and unsuccessful attempts to expand his and unsuccessful attempts to expand his empire. empire.

In 1787, he joined Russia in a war against the In 1787, he joined Russia in a war against the Ottoman Empire. Joseph and his army, which Ottoman Empire. Joseph and his army, which he commanded himself, suffered humiliating he commanded himself, suffered humiliating defeat. His health was broken, and he died defeat. His health was broken, and he died before the war ended. before the war ended.

Frederick IIFrederick II

(1712-1786), the third king of Prussia, became (1712-1786), the third king of Prussia, became known as Frederick the Great. He started his known as Frederick the Great. He started his reign in May 1740 and ruled until his death.reign in May 1740 and ruled until his death.

Frederick II Frederick II

has been called an has been called an "enlightened "enlightened despot" because despot" because he supported the he supported the progressive ideas progressive ideas and reforms of the and reforms of the period of history period of history called the called the EnlightenmentEnlightenment or or Age of ReasonAge of Reason

Frederick II and ReformFrederick II and Reform

Was a very educated and most Was a very educated and most cultured monarch during his timecultured monarch during his time

Even invited Voltaire to live at his courtEven invited Voltaire to live at his court Abolished the use of torture except in Abolished the use of torture except in

treason or murder casestreason or murder cases Granted limited freedom of speech and Granted limited freedom of speech and

presspress Allowed religious toleranceAllowed religious tolerance

Frederick the Great a short Frederick the Great a short videovideo

Watch and listen.Watch and listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s_6_tlasfwv=0s_6_tlasfw

Catherine the GreatCatherine the Great (1729-1796) ruled as (1729-1796) ruled as

empress of Russia from empress of Russia from 1762 until her death. 1762 until her death.

Catherine was born in Catherine was born in Poland on May 2, 1729. At Poland on May 2, 1729. At the age of 16, she went to the age of 16, she went to St. Petersburg, Russia, and St. Petersburg, Russia, and married Peter, the weak married Peter, the weak and incompetent successor and incompetent successor to the Russian throne. He to the Russian throne. He became Emperor Peter III became Emperor Peter III in 1762 but was deposed in 1762 but was deposed later that year by later that year by Catherine and her allies Catherine and her allies and was assassinated. and was assassinated. Catherine succeeded Peter Catherine succeeded Peter to the throne as Catherine to the throne as Catherine II. II.

Catherine’s ReformsCatherine’s Reforms Early in her reign, Catherine became interested in the Early in her reign, Catherine became interested in the

liberal ideas of her time, called the Enlightenment liberal ideas of her time, called the Enlightenment because its great thinkers emphasized the use of because its great thinkers emphasized the use of reason. She built schools and hospitals, encouraged reason. She built schools and hospitals, encouraged smallpox vaccination, promoted the education of smallpox vaccination, promoted the education of women, and extended religious tolerance. women, and extended religious tolerance.

What do you think of What do you think of Catherine?Catherine?

Was Catherine really Was Catherine really Enlightened?Enlightened?

But Catherine did little to grant basic But Catherine did little to grant basic civil rights to the majority of the civil rights to the majority of the Russian people. She tightened Russian people. She tightened landowners' control over the serfs, landowners' control over the serfs, and she forcefully put down a and she forcefully put down a peasant revolt. Except for raising the peasant revolt. Except for raising the status of nobles and merchants, she status of nobles and merchants, she carried out few social reforms.carried out few social reforms.