enlightened absolutism

Enlightenment

The influential intellectual and cultural movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries that introduced a new world view based on the use of reason, the scientific methods and progress.

Joseph II and other absolutists of later 18th century

they combined old-fashion state-building with the culture and critical thinking of the Enlightenment.

Cameralism

German science of public administration that emerged in the decades after the Thirty Year's War. Cameralism held that monarchy was the best of all forms of government, that all elements of society should be placed at the service of the state, and in turn, the state should make use of its resources and authority to improve society. It also emphasized on rationality, progress and utilitarianism.

Enlightened absolutism

term coined by historians to describe the rule of 18th century monarchs who without renouncing their own absolute authority, adopted Enlightenment ideals of rationalism, progress and tolerance.

Maria Theresa of Austria

(1747-1780) Her land Silesia was invaded by the Frederick the Great. She lost more land in the European War of the Austrian Succession. She tried to reform the nation but traditional power politics was more important to her. She was an old fashion absolutist, but after the War of the Austrian Succession, She tried to reform her country. First, She reduced the power of the papacy's by eliminating religious holidays and reduced number of monasteries. Second, she strengthened the central bureaucracy, smoothed out some provincial differences and revamped the tax system. She even taxed the nobles. Third, her government reduced the power of the landlords over the serfs and their partially free peasant tenants.

Rationalism

Belief or theory that opinion and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotional response. A secular critical way of thinking in which nothing was to be accepted on faith and everything was to be submitted to reason.

Leopold II

Brother of Joseph II of Habsburg. (1790-1792) He cancelled Joseph's radial change in serfdom. Peasants were required to do forced labor again.

Catherine the Great Russia

Catherine the Great (1762-1796). Her mother was related to the Romanovs of Russia. This made her an ideal bride to the heir to the Russian throne. She did not care for Peter III but wanted the crown. When Peter III became unpopular for withdrawing Russian troops from the coalition against Prussia, she conspired to depose her husband. She had him murdered by her lover Gregory Orlov. She became empress of Russia. She ruled in an Enlightenment way. She had three goals. First she wanted to continue Peter the Great's effort to bring the culture of western Europe to Russia. She imported western architects, musicians and intellectuals. She communicated with philosopher Volaire and praised him as the "Champion of the human race". She financed to publish Encyclopedia by Diderot. She westernized the imagination of the Russian Nobility. Second goal was domestic reform. She appointed new legislative commissions to prepare a new law code. She restricted torture and religious toleration. Strengthen local government and improved education. Because of the uprising of serfs lead by Emelian Pugachev, Catherine the Great aborted reforming the system. She gave nobles absolute control of their serfs and she extended serfdom into new areas, such as Ukraine. She freed nobles from paying taxes. Third goal was territorial expansion. She eliminated Mongol and won against the Ottoman. She divided Poland.

Frederick the Great of Prussia

Frederick II (1740-1786) son of Frederick William I. He invaded Silesia after Maria Theresa of Austria inherited the Habsburg dominions upon the death of her father Charles VI. He broke the solemn Prussian promises to respect the Pragmatic sanction, a diplomatic agreement that had guaranteed Maria Theres'a succession. After he lost the war against Russian King Peter III, he lost interest in territorial expansion and brought him to consider hoe more humane policies for his subjects might also strengthen the state. He was fully committed to the Enlightenment culture. He allowed his subjects to believe as they wished in religious and philosophical matters. He promoted the advancement of knowledge and improved school system and permitted his scholars to publish their findings. He tried to improve the lives of his subjects. He wanted his subjects to be happy human beings. He used legal system and bureaucracy to improve the lives of his subjects. Prussian laws were simplified. Torture was eliminated and judges decided cases quickly and impartially. He promoted reconstruction of agriculture and industry. He set a good example by working hard and lived modestly. He did not believe in divine right of kings. He condemned serfdom but he still accepted the practice of serfdom. He accepted and extended the privileges of the nobility. He practiced the principles of cameralism.

Joseph II

Son of Marie Theresa. Came to power in 1780. He abolished serfdom in 1781. Tenants should pay cash to the landlord rather than through labor. This was not popular by the nobles or by the peasants who did not have enough cash to pay the landlord. So when he died young, the Habsburg empire was in turmoil. He tried to rule in Enlightenment.