enlightened despots
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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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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