Effects of the Enlightenment on the
World
“Enlightened Monarchs”• Most of Europe ruled by
absolute monarchs• Receptive to Enlightenment
ideas• Instituted new laws and
practices Enlightened Monarchs
• Frederick II, Prussia• Catherine the Great, Russia• Maria Theresa, Austria• Joseph II, Holy Roman Empire• Gustav III, Sweden• Napoleon I, France
The American Revolution
• Influence of Locke,
Montesquieu• The Declaration
of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
The U.S. Constitution
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
Painting depicting the Constitutional Convention
The French Revolution
• The American Revolution• The Estates
General
The Marquis de Lafayette
The Declaration of theRights of Man
• Adopted by National Assembly in 1789
• “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”
The Legacy of the Enlightenment• Government• Society• Education
The signing of the U.S. Constitution
Frederick the Great (ruled 1740–1786)
• Prussian ruler• Had a strong
interest in Enlightenment works
• Induced Voltaire to come to Prussia
Frederick the Great (continued)
• Wanted to make Prussia a modern state
• Reforms
Painting titled “Frederick the Great and Voltaire.”
Catherine the Great(ruled 1762–1796)
• Russian ruler• Well-versed in
Enlightenment works• “Westernizing” Russia
Catherine the Great(continued)
• Domestic reforms• Peasant
revolt
Maria Theresa (ruled 1740–1780)
• Austrian ruler• Government
reforms• The serfs• Son—Joseph II
Joseph II (ruled 1765–1790)• Ruled as coregent
with his mother until 1780
• Joseph’s reforms• Religious
toleration• Control over the
Catholic Church• Abolition of
serfdom
Gustav III (ruled 1771–1792)• Swedish ruler• Read French
Enlightenment works• Reforms• Absolutism
Napoleon I
• French ruler• Military career• Rise to power
Napoleon I (continued)
•Reforms• Education• Law
