IMPACT OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Enlightened Absolutism

ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM MONARCHS “embraced the PRINCIPLES OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT and applied it to their kingdoms while maintaining their royal & absolute powers!” WHY?

“Hey, I know what is ‘best’ for you guys!”THESE MONARCHS RULED WITH THE INTENT OF IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THEIR SUBJECTS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN & REINFORCE THEIR AUTHORITY!

“…is a form of absolute monarchy (despotism) in which rulers were ‘influenced’ by the Enlightenment!”

THINK

“What was the most common type of government in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries?”

France, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, Russia, Spain, Sweden

DESPOT: Type of ruler with absolute power. ENLIGHTENMENT: Intellectual period of the 18th century based on the idea that society could be

improved by the use of reason.

Friedrich the Great * PRUSSIAN King (1740-1786)

Admired VOLTAIRE! (courted with Friedrich – WHY?) 1. Modernized Prussian CIVIL SERVICE (judges, courts) 2. Granted universal RELIGIOUS TOLERATION3. ABOLISHED TORTURE except for murder/treason4. Created a WRITTEN LEGAL CODE! * BUT – limited freedom of speech and press, did not abolish serfdom… Demanded absolute power.

ENLIGHTENED OR NOT?

Maria TheresaAUSTRIAN Empress (1740-1780)

1. Implemented a REFORMED EDUCATION system throughout Austrian Empire, BUT… 2. Nobles & Catholic Church PAID HIGHER TAXES; NATIONALIZED PROPERTY of the Church3. REFUSED TO ABOLISHED SERFDOM – BUT, worked to improve lives of SERFS * Did not allow religious toleration! Consolidated Monarchy’s power throughout Austrian Empire… (daughter Marie Antoinette)

ENLIGHTENED OR NOT?

Catherine the GreatEmpress of Russia (1762-1796)

Joseph II * Holy Roman Emperor (1765-1790)

Invited DIDEROT to Russia to initiate REFORM…

1. Some religious toleration for Christians…2. Establishes SCHOOLS for nobles* BUT – also imprisons opponents, maintains censorship and serfdom… ended up favoring Russian nobility!

1. Abolished SERFDOM & DEATH PENALTY2. Education reforms! (textbooks, teachers)3. Religious REFORM, TOLERATION * Mostly failed reforms – alienated the Church and Nobility…

“I have made philosophy the lawmaker of my empire.”

ENLIGHTENED OR NOT? ENLIGHTENED OR NOT?

The Role of Philosophy…and the Spread of Ideas

Philosophers – PHILOSOPHES – & The Enlightenment

PHILOSOPHER “An intellectual who works to discuss and solve ethical and societal problems through the application of knowledge and reason – to make society better!” …intellectuals, nobility, middle-

class, European, mostly French!

Philosophers wanted to STUDY SOCIETY and APPLY RATIONAL CRITICISM to it in order to make it better

and improve human conditions!

THINK “How did ideas and Enlightenment principles spread? Who spread the ideas and principles?” SCHOOLS & the GROWTH OF

READING; LETTERS & ACADEMIC JOURNALS; COFFEE-HOUSES & SALONSThese philosophes spent a great deal of energy spreading their ideas

among literate society in diverse cities throughout Europe…

THE SPREAD OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Books & the Encyclopédie

THE SPREAD OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

The Republic of Letters

PRINTING PRESS (1450s)

+EDUCATION REFORM

(during Enlightenment)

=*LITERACY RATES INCREASE (books, magazines, journals)

Intellectuals & Philosophers shared ideas through letters & ACADEMIC JOURNALS! (Diderot’s Encyclopédie, 1751 – NEW SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE)

THE SPREAD OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Parisian Salons

THE SPREAD OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

London Coffee Houses

BOTH WERE IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE “a place for social interaction outside the home and away from public authority” (openness, equality and communication)

People came together to discuss Enlightenment ideas and have conversations WITHOUT REGARD TO RANK!

Women DID NOT participate in London’s Coffee Houses…

Women were the CREATORS and LEADERS of the Parisian Salons!

PLACES FOR LIKE-MINDED SCHOLARS TO CONGREGATE, READ, LEARN FROM AND DEBATE WITH ONE ANOTHER!

In the hands of the HOSTESSES – who had the power to choose guests and deny entry!

THE SPREAD OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Parisian Salons & London Coffee-Houses