the enlightened despots

The Leaders of The Leaders of 18th Century 18th Century

EuropeEurope

Regent (1715 - 1723) was Duke of Orleans – Louis XV was only 5.Nobility made a strong comeback1748 - Louis XV - implemented 5% Income tax on everyone - no one was exempt. – What problem could that cause?

Parlement of Paris protested the tax and challenged royal authority

Government withdrew tax in 1764passed legislation limiting the King from levying any tax without consent of the Parlement

Louis XV appointed Rene de Maupeou to crush his opposition

abolished Parlement Philosophes disagreed with his policies - led to a stream of attacks on his Royal authority.

•What other king we studied does this sound like?•What happened to him?•What is different now in Europe that might impact Louis XIV in a very negative way?

Philosophes displeasure with him took away the aura of the KingDied before he could prevailLouis XVI took the throne - eager to pleaseWeakened and unreformed Monarchy

Wife of Peter IIIHe was overthrown and murdered within months of taking over- with the approval of Catherine

Ruled for 34 yearsCorresponded with Voltaire and other thinkers.

Did very little to reform or modernize RussiaIntroduced Western ideas that only pleased herself.

Led to flourishing scholarship, book publishing, journalism, architecture and theater

Catherine herself wrote articles and playsSponsored the 1st school for girls in Russia Established an elementary school system

Mostly spent time increasing Russian autocracy and military powerExtended Russia’s boundaries southward and westwardCharter of Nobility of 1785 - landlord’s control over peasants and serfs became stronger then ever beforeDied November 17, 1796

She died while attempting an unusual practice with a horse – Not true – probably started by the French elite soon after she died as a way to mar her reputation.

She died on the toilet – and her body was so bloated that she shattered the toilet – this more recent rumor that emerged also as an attempt to humiliate, and mar her reputation.

Perfect example of the benevolent or enlightened despotFriend of Voltaire Learned - wrote essays, poetry and music - Voltaire taught him to write elegant French.

Implemented a type of Religious Toleration

accepted Catholics and didn’t persecute Jews as much as other rulers of his time.

Militaristic - passion for military victory

Founded Elementary Schools for peasantsFounded High Schools for future government officialsFounded Berlin Academy of the Sciences

What was so Enlightened about his rule?

What was not so Enlightened about his rule?

Proved her abilities by successfully defending Austria from those who believed it was easy to conquer a woman - Frederick the Great of PrussiaBelieved in reform:

Increased taxed on nobility, Roman Catholic Church

Confiscated monastic propertyExpelled JesuitsSteps towards abolishing Serfdom.

•What was Enlightened about her rule?

•What was not Enlightened about her rule?

A Model Enlightened DespotAbolished SerfdomEquality of TaxationEqual punishment for equal crime (Nobles - Peasants)

Legal punishments were less cruelEqual civil rights extended to Jews

Even appointed Jewish noblesWanted independence from RomeSeized Catholic Monasteries - used property to finance hospitals

Few reforms were long lastingResistance from Hungarian Nobility

didn’t like abolition of serfdom didn’t like equal Taxationdidn’t like Roman Catholic Church

Died disillusionedBrother Leopold II reversed most of Joseph’s reforms.

•What was Enlightened about his rule?

•What was not very Enlightened about his rule?

Believed political change should come from them; the government.

Encouraged by philosophes to make laws that promoted human happiness

They acted abruptly and wanted quick and immediate results - IMPATIENT

They justified their authority on usefulness not divine rightRational and Reformist - regarded political change as possible and desirable.

“The Monarch is not the absolute master, but only the first servant of

the state.” - Frederick the Great