Examples Of Enlightened Despots

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During the Enlightenment, there were some monarchs who accepted Enlightenment ideas and they are known as enlightened despots. These enlightened despots were absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change. Some of these enlightened despots are Frederick the Great (Frederick II.), Catherine the Great (Catherine II.), Maria Theresa, and Joseph II. From 1740 to 1786, Frederick the Great was the King of Prussia. He saw himself as the “first servant of the state” and applied a firm control over Prussia. Frederick tolerated religious differences and greeted victims of religious persecution. When Frederick was not fighting in any wars, he drained swamps and had the peasants that suffered in Prussia’s wars grow fresh crops (one being the potato) on that land. Frederick II was a fan…show more content…
She had won support of most of her people and strengthened the Austrian Hapsburg power. Maria Theresa recognized the bureaucracy and improved tax collection. As well as being a Hapsburg empress, Maria Theresa was a mother of eleven girls and five boys, one being future king Joseph II. Maria Theresa started the modernization of Austrian government and Joseph II would continue his mother’s reforms. Joseph II was the son and successor of Maria Theresa. He is known as the “peasant emperor’ because he had traveled in disguise as a beggar to learn about his people’s problems. Joseph approved religious tolerance to Protestants and Jews in his Catholic empire. Joseph II tried to bring the Catholic Church under royal control and ended suppression. Many monasteries and convents built hospitals on land Joseph sold them. Joseph abolished slavery, but was canceled after his death. Throughout the Enlightenment, these absolute rulers brought about social and political change. Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, Maria Theresa, and Joseph II, all contributed toward the growing Age of
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