Wednesday, 9/8/10 Turn in your writing assignments to

the basket Quiz on Friday, 9/10/10 on

Enlightenment Thinkers and ideas…study the graphic organizer

Notes on Enlightened Despots Complete Reading Questions

EH text pgs. 32-46

Enlightenment and Monarchy

Despotism: Individual ruler whose power is not limited by a constitution

Enlightened despots: Absolute rulers who embraced enlightenment ideas and reform

How can an absolutist be “en lightened”?

• Direct correspondence with philosophes• Use their power to promote intellectualideas and the welfare of their people

– The people can’t do it themselves• Religious toleration• More education• Elimination of torture and/or death

penalty• Streamlined legal codes

But…• All of these reforms were MODERATE• Most of these ideas and reforms will be

undone by the 19th century• Absolutism and enlightenment ideas can’t

coexist

Joseph II, Ruler of Austria

Legal reforms, freedom of press, religious freedom, abolished serfdom

Many reforms undone after his death

• Most reforms undone by Leopold II (r.1790-92)

Catherine the Great of Russia (r. 1762-1796)

Her goal: modernize and westernize

Pugachev’s Rebellion (1773)

• Largest peasant revolt in Russian history

Catherine needed support of the nobility

• 1785: Charter of the Nobility

– Guaranteed noble privileges

Impact of the EnlightenedAbsolutists

Most reforms were undone– Leopold II (r. 1790-92) undid Joseph’s

reforms– Catherine abandoned the Enlightenment The nobility emerged more powerful• For enlightenment ideas to work, a new

form of government will need to emerge…

Reading QuestionsPgs. 33-46

1) What is an enlightened despot?2) How was Joseph II influenced by the

Enlightenment ideas?3) What changes did Joseph II make in his

reform efforts?4) What happened to many of Joseph’s reforms?5) Was Catherine the Great an Enlightened

despot according to the text? Why or why not?

6) What was the cause of the Pugachev Revolt?7) How did the revolt effect Catherine’s views?8) What was the Charter of Nobility?