Enlightened Absolutism

This PowerPoint presentation was designed to accompany a lecture on Enlightened Absolutism in AP European History or Western Civilization courses, looking specifically at the reforms and policies of Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria.

1. Enlightened
Absolutism

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2. Enlightened Absolutism

Absolutists in the 18 O,
century attempted to 4
apply the principles of
the Enlightenment in
their kingdoms.

3. ITS A
TRAP!

4. T'OLERATION 4 religious minorities
REFORM 6 stitutions
ABSOLUTISM owe)
PATRONAGE q thephitesophes

5. The Enlightened Absolutists

Cather Mo Il Frederick II Joseph Il
(Russia) (Prussia) (Austria)

6. Frederick h
“the Great” e.
Bs |

A
m;

Prussia

7. First
SERVANT

of the State

8. Anti-Machiavel

(1740)

Frederick argued against
Machiavelli that a ruler
should be chiefly concerned
with the well-being of his
subjects.

9. | Ets

: LS E jonded with Voltaire,
N S who was a regular guest at his court
FA before their relationship soured.

10. Frederick inspects
a potato harvest.

11. Potatoes were introduced as a
new crop in Prussia during
Frederick’s reign.

12. I like science...
and progress...
and food.

13. Frederick reformed the bureaucracy
and made it possible for men of non-
noble birth to fill senior government
i and military posts.

15. Toleration

Frederick expanded religious
toleration in Prussia, but still
favored Protestants for key
government posts.

(æ) Religious

16. The officer says: "Do not argue--drill!"
The tax collector: "Do not argue--pay!"
The pastor: "Do not argue--believe!"

Only one ruler in the world
says: "Argue as much as
you please, but obey!“

-- Kant, “What Is Enlightenment?”

17. Catherine
“the Great”

Russia

18. Assassination?

Catherine’s husband, Peter Ill,
died less than a year after
taking the throne - likely by
assassination.

20. PATRONAGE

Catherine purchased |
Diderot's library... ~~ ~~,

| \ JE
Then paid hid a salary “ef a
to be her “librarian.”

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21. Pugachev's
Rebellion
17734775
Uprising of peasants &

Cossacks on the
Russian frontier

23. KPECTDAHCNAN BOMHA 1773-75

je

24. Why would Pugachev
have been celebrated
as a hero during the
Soviet era?

26. Catherine was too dependent
on the support of the nobility to
make serious modernizing
reforms (e.g., serfdom).

28. Joseph II

Austria

29. MOST
Radical
LEAST
Effective

30. Co-Ruler with Maria pies:
1765-1780

31. Religious
Toleration

Joseph’s generous religious
toleration policy included
private worship for Jews.

32. . Map of the
Austrian $
Empire

33. GESTERREICHSCHEN NONARCEZ
Si rt ~~

E

Centralization

of Administration

35. REFORM

Joseph/abolished “sérfdom”
and granted more rights'to

peasants (although landlords
retained some control).

36. MOST
Radical
LEAST
Effective

37. undid many of his
reforms.

38. “Here lies Joseph II, who failed in
all he undertook.”

39. ITS A
TRAP!

40. T'OLERATION 4 religious minorities
REFORM 6 stitutions
ABSOLUTISM owe)
PATRONAGE q thephitesophes

41. The Enlightened Absolutists

Cather Mo Il Frederick II Joseph Il
(Russia) (Prussia) (Austria)

42. For More, Visit My Website

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