Chapter 8 Section 3 PowerPoint - Enlightened Absolutism and the Balance of Power

8.3 Enlightened Absolutism

1. Chapter 8 Section 3 Jason Hauck Enlightened Absolutism and the Balance of Power

2. Enlightenment and Absolutism Enlightenment thought influence European politics in the 18 th century. The philosophes believed in natural rights for all people. Equality before the law, religious worship, speech, press, assemble, property and pursue happiness. To establish and preserve these natural rights, philosophes believed that enlightened rulers were needed.

3. Enlightened absolutism, rulers govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining their royal powers. Two able Prussian kings, Frederick William I and Frederick II, made Prussia a major European power in the 18 th century. Believed in Obedience, honor and above all, service to the king. William’s other concern was the army. He doubled the size of the army. Became the most important institution in the state.

4. Frederick II or Frederick the Great ruled Prussia from 1740-1786. He too, enlarged the Prussian army. Seemed willing to make reforms. Abolished torture except in treason and murder cases. Granted limited freedom of speech and press and religious toleration.

5. The Austrian Empire has become one of the great European states by the start of the 18 th century. It was difficult to rule because is was composed of many nationalities, languages, religions and cultures. Maria Theresa inherited the throne in 1740 and worked to centralize and strengthen the state. Joseph II, swept away anything standing in the path of reason. He abolished serfdom and eliminated the death penalty. Established the principle of equality for all before the law and enacted religious reforms. Joseph’s reforms failed. He alienated the nobles and Catholic Church. The serfs could not understand the drastic changes.

6. Catherine the Great, ruled Russia from 1762-1796. She favored enlightened reforms. Considered a new law code that would recognize equality for all people in the eyes of the law. Catherine did nothing because she didn’t have the support of the nobility. Favoring the nobility led to a rebellion. Catherine will use the army to crush the rebellion and expand her empire.

7. Of the rulers under discussions, only Joseph II sought truly radical changes based on Enlightenment ideas. Both Frederick II and Catherine II talked about reforms, but their priority was maintaining the existing system.

8. The Seven Years’ War In 1740, Maris Theresa, became Queen of Austria. King Frederick II of Prussia invaded Austrian Silesia. France entered the war against Austria. Austria allied with Great Britain. The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) fought in three areas; Europe, Prussia seized Silesia. Asia, France took parts of India from the British. In North America, the British captured the French fortress on the St. Lawrence River. By 1748, all parties were exhausted and agreed to the treaty of Aix-la-Chappelle. Returned all occupied territories but Silesia.

9. War of the Austrian Succession

10. France abandoned Prussia and formed an alliance with Austria. Russia joined the alliance of France and Austria. Diplomatic revolution of 1756 Allied Britain with Prussia. The Seven Years’ war was fought in three major areas; Europe, India and North America.

11. After seven years of war, a stalemate led to the desire for peace. All occupied territories were returned, except Silesia. Austria officially recognized Prussia’s permanent control of Silesia. The greatest conflicts of the Seven Years’ War took place in North America. In North America, the British and French colonies were set up differently. The French set up a vast trading area. The British set up colonies with many people.

12. The British soon secured a victory over the French. The Treat of Paris 1763. French transferred Canada and the lands east of the Mississippi to England. Spain lost Florida, but received the Louisiana territory from the French. Great Britain became the world’s greatest colonial power.