Summary
ENLIGHTENED DESPOTS
Tuesday 14 April 2007
Class : Grade 7B
Introduction
•In the 18th century, several European rulers were influenced by the Enlightment ideas. They believe that they should improve the living standard of their people. But they still held all powers in their hands. These rulers were called enlightened despots
•E.g. Frederick the great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia
•The enlightment despots introduced reforms to lessen the hardships of the people. This gave people idea that their welfare was important and that government was on their side.
Frederick the Great of Prussia
•While Louis XIV believed in absolutism, Frederick the Great of Prussia (ruled from 1740-86) was an enlightened despot. He was influenced by the enlightened thinkers of the time, especially Voltaire. While Louis XIV said “I am the State, Frederick II called himself ‘The first servant of the State”. However, although he held liberal ideas and wanted gave his people a better government, he did not believe the people could rule themselves. He therefore assumed absolute power.
•Frederick wrote’ the people do not exist for the sake of the rulers, but rulers for the sake of the people’. He devoted his time to serving his people. He improved the economy by encouraging agriculture and industry. Science and education progressed under his rule. He also granted religious freedom, and introduced law reforms such as the abolition of torture as punishment.
•Frederick wanted to make Prussia a strong country in Europe. He spent a large sum of money strenghtening his army. He waged wars against other countries to expand his territories. Although he ruled his people like despot and made them pay high taxes to support his wars, Prussia be
came the leader of other German states and was powerful in Europe.
Catherine the Great of Russia
•Another enlightened despot was Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796). She was a German princess who married Peter III of Russia. Peter was not a good ruler, and Catherine later deposed him with the help of the Imperial Guard. She called herself Empress of Russia.
•Catherine was influenced by the great thinkers of the time. She tried to practise some ideas of Enlightment. She built schools and hospitals and permitted religious freedom.
•In the 18th century, several European rulers were influenced by the Enlightment ideas. They believe that they should improve the living standard of their people. But they still held all powers in their hands. These rulers were called enlightened despots
•E.g. Frederick the great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia
•The enlightment despots introduced reforms to lessen the hardships of the people. This gave people idea that their welfare was important and that government was on their side.
Frederick the Great of Prussia
•While Louis XIV believed in absolutism, Frederick the Great of Prussia (ruled from 1740-86) was an enlightened despot. He was influenced by the enlightened thinkers of the time, especially Voltaire. While Louis XIV said “I am the State, Frederick II called himself ‘The first servant of the State”. However, although he held liberal ideas and wanted gave his people a better government, he did not believe the people could rule themselves. He therefore assumed absolute power.
•Frederick wrote’ the people do not exist for the sake of the rulers, but rulers for the sake of the people’. He devoted his time to serving his people. He improved the economy by encouraging agriculture and industry. Science and education progressed under his rule. He also granted religious freedom, and introduced law reforms such as the abolition of torture as punishment.
•Frederick wanted to make Prussia a strong country in Europe. He spent a large sum of money strenghtening his army. He waged wars against other countries to expand his territories. Although he ruled his people like despot and made them pay high taxes to support his wars, Prussia be
came the leader of other German states and was powerful in Europe.Catherine the Great of Russia
•Another enlightened despot was Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796). She was a German princess who married Peter III of Russia. Peter was not a good ruler, and Catherine later deposed him with the help of the Imperial Guard. She called herself Empress of Russia.
•Catherine was influenced by the great thinkers of the time. She tried to practise some ideas of Enlightment. She built schools and hospitals and permitted religious freedom.
•However she was also depostic. She chose her ministers carefully and selected only those were loyal to her. She did not grant wider freedom to her people and cruelly suppressed peasant revolts.
•Catherine succeeded in turning Russia into a great power. She gained the Crimea and lands along the Black sea from Turkey. She obtained rights for Russian ships to sail through the Dardanelles and the Bosporus into the Mediterranean.
Comparison of Absolute Monarchy and Enlightened Despotism
•Catherine succeeded in turning Russia into a great power. She gained the Crimea and lands along the Black sea from Turkey. She obtained rights for Russian ships to sail through the Dardanelles and the Bosporus into the Mediterranean.
Comparison of Absolute Monarchy and Enlightened Despotism
DIFFERENCE
•ABSOLUTE MONARCH
Believed in the Divine Right of Kings, and he claimed that his power came from God.
•ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
Claimed to be the servant of the state and introduced reforms to give the people a better government.
SIMILARITY
•ABSOLUTE MONARCH
Absolute in power, all people had to obey his orders
•ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
Did not believe the people could rule themsleves and therefore assumed absolute power.
•ABSOLUTE MONARCH
Believed in the Divine Right of Kings, and he claimed that his power came from God.
•ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
Claimed to be the servant of the state and introduced reforms to give the people a better government.
SIMILARITY
•ABSOLUTE MONARCH
Absolute in power, all people had to obey his orders
•ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
Did not believe the people could rule themsleves and therefore assumed absolute power.
EXAMPLE
•ABSOLUTE MONARCH
Louis XIV of France
James I of England
•ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Catherine the Great of Russia
End of doc.
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