Enlightened Despots

Were they really enlightened?

Enlightened Despots

A king or queen that rules absolutely but does incorporate one or several enlightened ideas into his/her government

Philosophes that advocated a monarchy were more accepted by European rulers

Enlightened Rulers began to: Increase religious toleranceMake legal and economic reforms Justify rule by usefulness to people

Goal was to reform society from the TOP down.

Enlightened Despots

Catherine the Great of Russia1762-1796

German by birth Married Peter III who

“mysteriously” dies in prison in 1762.

Corresponds with Voltaire Her reign placed tremendous

power in the nobility of Russia She expanded Russia’s borders into

Central Europe and to the Black Sea

Promoted westernization and modernization in Russia

Frederick the Great of Prussia1740-1786

Primarily interested in fine arts as a youth raised by a militant father

Was forced to watch a childhood friend be executed to “toughen him up”

Intimate friendship with Voltaire

Won major wars winning military acclaim for Prussia and himself

Joseph II of Austria1780-1790

Hapsburg Son of Maria-Theresa Elder brother of Marie

Antoinette Skeptic of religion Sought to weld the differing

nationalities of Austrian German, Italian, Slav, Hungarian, and Belgians into one compact nation

Tended to work in haste and therefore not always effective

Were they really?...

Enlightened Despots

Baroque v. Classical

Ornate, bold style complimenting the formal, grand style of Absolutism

Baroque

Baroque Art

Baroque Furniture

Baroque Clothing

Simple, elegant style borrowing themes from the classical periods.

Neo-classical

Classical Art

Classical Clothing

Classical Furniture