Enlightened Despots

despot: a 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

Enlightened Despotism:

grew out of earlier period of absolutism (Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Charles I, etc.)
change in attitude: acceleration of old institution of monarchy without the religious buttress
(did not justify on grounds of divine right). Enlightened despots sought to justify themselves in
the light of reason and secular usefulness.

Frederick the Great Catherine the Great Joseph II

Location

What kind of document

is this? What is its
purpose?

What reforms did the

monarch bring to their
country?

Which phrases show

that they are an
enlightened monarch?
 Enlightened Despots
despot: a 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

Enlightened Despotism:

grew out of earlier period of absolutism (Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Charles I, etc.)
change in attitude: acceleration of old institution of monarchy without the religious buttress
(did not justify on grounds of divine right). Enlightened despots sought to justify themselves in
the light of reason and secular usefulness.

Frederick the Great Catherine the Great Joseph II

Location Prussia (modern Russia Austria
Germany and Poland)

What kind of document Political testament The text is a proposal The letter describing
is this? What is its describing is political for new laws that show his goals as ruler.
purpose? beliefs changes in
government.
What reforms did the His reforms included Her reforms included His reforms included
monarch bring to their greater religious opening hospitals and outlawing torture and
country? toleration, freedom of schools and supported the death penalty and
the press, and the arts. allowing for greater
outlawing torture. freedom of press and
religion.
Which phrases show politics is the not to deprive People impartial, and liberal
that they are an science of their natural Liberty; principles
enlightened monarch? a well-conducted but to attain the I granted toleration,
government must have supreme Good and removed the yoke,
an underlying secure the safety of which had oppressed
conceptlikened to a every citizen. the Protestants
system of philosophy all should be subject no man shall be
People of different to the same laws compelled in future to
faiths live together in profess the religion of
peace the state.
It is of no concern owing to the
whether the ruler has a philosophy and the
religion or whether he efforts of great men
has none.