Enlightened Absolutism

• Several European rulers saw value in reform.

• They sought to strengthen the monarchy vs. nobles, The Church and other challengers.

• The best examples are Frederick II of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine II of Russia

• Used reforms for military goals

Joseph II(r. 1765-1790)

• Maria Theresa already expanded education and taxation and serf’s rights.

• Joseph wanted to limit Hungarian autonomy.

• Refused to be crowned King of Hungary, reorganized local gov. and required the use of German in gov.

• Universal taxation

Joseph IIreligious reforms

• Gave freedom of worship to Lutherans, Calvinists and Greek Orthodox and private worship to Jews

• Josephinism: Forbade direct communication between bishops and the pope. Closed seminaries and over 600 monasteries. Made priests state employees.

Social Reforms

• Abolished serfdom and the death penalty

• Gave peasants freedom to marry, do skilled work and have children trained without landlord permission.

• Gave peasants access to royal justice

• Land Reform and compulsory education

Catherine the Great(1762-1796) • 1767 Legislative Commission

• Reorganized local gov. but put nobles in charge.

• 1785 Charter of the Nobility: freedom from taxes and corporal punishment, control of serfs, right to assembly, trial in their own courts

• Not enough educated subjects or money.

Reforms

• Influenced by John Locke she founded the Smolny Institute to educate noble girls.

• Divided Russia into provinces and districts to rationalize administration.

• Allowed serfs to file complaints

• Fought 2 wars vs. the Ottoman Turks and gained Crimea and the Ukraine

• Gained Polish territory by placing her lover on the throne and deals with Austria and Prussia

• Took many contradictory stances on religion.