Enlightenment And French Revolution: Sec 2 Flashcards
Enlightened Absolutism
An absolute monarchy where the ruler follows the principles of the enlightenment by introducing reforms for the improvement of society, allowing freedom of speech and the press, permitting religious toleration, expanding education, and ruling in accordance with the laws
Frederick II
Known as Frederick the great, Frederick was considered one of the best educated and most cultured monarchs of the eighteenth century. He enlarged the Prussian army, and kept strict watch over bureaucracy. Abolished the use of torture except in treason and murder cases, granted limited freedom of speech and press, and allowed complete religious toleration.
“First servant of the state”
Frederick II considered himself the “first servant of the state”
Reforms
make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
Empress Maria Theresa
She managed to make administrative reforms that helped centralize the Austrian empire, but they were done for practical reasons- to strengthen the power of the Habsburg state- and were accompanied by an enlargement and modernization of the armed forces.
Joseph II
Believed in the need to sweep away anything standing in the path of reason. His reform program was far reaching- he abolished serfdom, abrogated the death penalty, and established the principle of equality of all before the law. Joseph produced drastic religious reforms as well, including complete religious toleration. Despite his efforts, they ultimately failed
Catherine II
Catherine II the great was an intelligent woman who was familiar with the works of the philosophes and seemed to favor enlightened reforms. Catherine was skeptical impractical theories. She did consider the idea of a new law code that would recognize the principle of equality of all people in the eyes of the law, but in the end she did nothing. Her favor of the nobility led to even worse conditions for the Russian peasants and a rebellion.
Peasant Rebellion
The peasants of Russia rebelled after Catherine II’s nobility-favoring policy led to even worse conditions for them. It was led by the illiterate Emelyan Pugachev, which spread across southern Russia. However it soon collapsed when Pugachev was captured, tortured, and killed by Catherine.
Seven Years War
Rivalry among states led to costly struggles, one being the Seven Year’s War. Although it began in Europe, it soon turned into a global conflict throughout Europe, India, and North America. The British and the Prussians fought the Austrians, Russians, but the greatest conflicts took place in North America, known as the French and Indian war
Treaty of Paris
After the British ultimately won, the French withdrew for the war by the Treaty of Paris
French and Indian War
British and French rivalry led to a number of confrontations. The defeat of the French fleets by the British left the French unable to reinforce their garrisons. That year, the British fives defeated the French, and went on to seize Montreal, the Great Lakes area, and the Ohio valley. The French were forced to make peace
