Absolute Monarchies and Enlightened Despots in Europe 1550

Absolute Monarchies and Enlightened Despots in Europe 1550 -1800 ØFrance: Absolute Monarchs-Louis XIII & Louis XIV ØSpain: Absolute Monarchs-Philip II ØEngland: Absolute Monarchs and Development of a Constitutional Monarchy-Tudors & Stuarts ØAustria: Enlightened Despots---Maria Theresa & Joseph II ØPrussia: Enlightened Despot- Frederick the Great ØRussia: Absolute Monarchs- Ivan the Terrible & Peter the Great ØRussia: Enlightened Despot-Catherine the Great

The enlightened despots came out of the old absolute monarchs The idea of the state was changing. They were dictators of a kind who tried to bring into their countries some of the ideas of the Enlightenment.

“Enlightened Monarchs” • Most of Europe ruled by absolute monarchs • Receptive to Enlightenment ideas • Instituted new laws and practices Enlightened Monarchs • Frederick II, Prussia • Catherine the Great, Russia • Maria Theresa, Austria • Joseph II, Holy Roman Empire • Gustav III, Sweden • Napoleon I, France

…Or is there a contradiction here? • Enlightened Despots – 18 th-century monarchs – NOT democratic – BUT used absolute power to reform their countries. • Areas of reform: – Law – Social and economic conditions – Education • Notice! No English monarchs here!

• Enlightened Despots: – They do not believe in divine right. – They believe they are the first servant of the state and use their power to serve the people. – They are influenced by the writers of the Enlightenment. – Usually they leave their country in a stronger position. – They have complete control over all aspects of life: political, social, cultural, and economic.

Enlightened Despotism • Idea found in Central and Eastern Europe whereby monarchs and emperors made changes to their societies in which modernized the states while the people earned some political and social rights • Monarchs still maintained absolute control, but instead of justifying their rule by divine right (God), they instead saw themselves at the head of the people • Most of the ideas were really designed to PREVENT revolution (governments must serve the needs of men) • Many of the reforms were eventually rescinded after the people tried to get even more rights (revolutions were often brutally repressed

Enlightened Despots • European monarchs who were eager to bring political and social change to their countries • Rulers who wanted to govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining royal powers • Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine II of Russia, & Maria Theresa of Austria

How did Absolute Monarchs get Enlightened? • Many of them read the works of the philosophers of the “Age of Reason” or were advised by councilors who had. – Who were the philsophers? • • • Locke Hobbes Montesquieu Voltaire Rousseau The Physiocrats Voltaire Montesquieu

Getting Enlightened • Many monarchs realized that to improve their states, they needed to reform. • Several key absolute rulers invited many of the living philosophers to advise them.

Voltaire—Responsible for the Trend? • Voltaire pushed the idea that a ruler can justify her/his power by improving society. • Voltaire is the philosopher who said: “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it. ”

Voltaire • spent a lot of time at the court of Frederick the Great of Prussia (Voltaire was the first to call him “the Great”) • corresponded with Catherine the Great of Russia.

Enlightened Despots • Catherine II of Russia • Russian ruler; exchanged letters with Voltaire; spoke out against serfdom • Maria Theresa • Catholic ruler of Austria; introduced humanitarian reforms; set up elementary schools • Frederick II • Prussian ruler; believed as king he was “servant of the state”; abolished torture except for treason & murder; established schools

Enlightened Despots • Russian ruler; exchanged letters with Voltaire; spoke out against serfdom • Catherine II of Russia • Catholic ruler of Austria; introduced humanitarian reforms; set up elementary schools • Maria Theresa • Prussian ruler; believed as king he was “servant of the state”; abolished torture except for treason & murder; established schools • Frederick II

But it is in Austria, Prussia and Russia where the enlightened monarchs ruled to the benefit of their people.

Enlightenment Ideas Spread The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas. Prussia Reforms • Frederick II, had duty to rule with absolute power • Elementary education for all children • Also strongly influenced by ideas of Voltaire • Abolished torture • Built powerful military, introduced reforms • Supported most forms of religious tolerance • Reduced censorship Limitations • No religious tolerance for Jews • Opposed serfdom, did not abolish • Did not make reforms to achieve justice but to make own rule more powerful

Who were these monarchs? • Frederick of Prussia (17121786) – Reign 1740 -1786 – (Frederick William Hohenzollern II) – Wrote poetry and essays, played music, even wrote some philosophy. – Strategic thinker

Frederick the Great (ruled 1740– 1786) • Prussian ruler • Had a strong interest in Enlightenment works • Induced Voltaire to come to Prussia • Frederick II, king of Prussia, • reformed education and justice • system; • granted religious freedom and religious differences; • abolishes torture, • but fails to end serfdom • �Exerted tight control over • subjects, but saw himself as a • “servant of the state. ” • �Distributed seeds and tools to • peasants.

Frederick the Great (continued) • Wanted to make Prussia a modern state • Reforms Painting titled “Frederick the Great and Voltaire. ”

Frederick the Great • Reforms • Abolished torture (except for treason & murder) • Established elementary schools • Promoted industry and agriculture • After “Seven Years War, ” helped peasants rebuild. • Established some religious freedom

Fredrick the Great of Prussia • Emperor of Prussia in the Northern Germanic Lands • Modernized the military and opened officer positions to middle and lower classes • Modernized the Prussian government and opened positions to people of merit instead of cronies

Frederick the Great (1740 -1786) of Prussia was determined to make Prussia the dominate power. • Created a strong aggressive military. “ Most nations have an army, Prussia is an army with a nation”. • Promoted religious toleration and education at home. • Successfully made Prussia dominate power by defeating Austrians. • ( Seven Years War) www. ncl. ac. uk/~nhistory/ german. htm

Enlightened Despots • Frederick II of Prussia (r. 17401786) • • Rebelled against father Later developed finest army Built Sans Souci (Potsdam) Invited Voltaire to the court

Hohenzollerns in Prussia ►“Frederick the Great” (Frederick II: 1740 -1786) of Prussia • At war for first half of his reign • Became a reformer during 2 nd half of his reign – ruler was the “first servant of the state” • Religious freedom, education in schools and universities, codified laws, promoted industry and agriculture, encouraged immigration • Social structure remained heavily stratified: serfdom; extended privileges for the nobility, Junkers became heart of military; difficult upward mobility for middle class leadership

Enlightenment Ideas Spread The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas. Prussia Reforms • Frederick II, had duty to rule with absolute power • Elementary education for all children • Also strongly influenced by ideas of Voltaire • Abolished torture • Built powerful military, introduced reforms • Supported most forms of religious tolerance • Reduced censorship Limitations • No religious tolerance for Jews • Opposed serfdom, did not abolish • Did not make reforms to achieve justice but to make own rule more powerful

Enlightened Despots • Catherine the Great of Russia (r. 1762 -1796) – German born wife of Czar Peter III – Controlled government after Peter III’s accidental(? ) death – Increased European culture in Russia – Peasant Reforms – Territorial Expansion – Corresponded with Diderot

Catherine the Great Russia • Catherine II became ruler, 1762 • Dreamed of establishing order, justice, supporting education, culture • Read works of, corresponded with Voltaire, Diderot Reforms • Drafted Russian constitution, code of laws • Considered too liberal, never put into practice Limitations • Intended to free serfs, but would lose support of wealthy landowners • Catherine had no intention of giving up power • Became tyrant, imposed serfdom on more Russians than ever before

Catherine the Great of Russia • Modernized the Russian army and government • Studied in France during the Enlightenment • Tried to link Russia to the West through trade and diplomatic relations • Increased Russia’s territory, especially against the Ottomans (Turks) – sought to link Russia to its Slavic neighbors to the south

Catherine the Great • Reform – Reorganized local government and established a civil service. – Decreased use of torture – Codified laws. – Toured the countryside incognito. • Potemkin village comes from this tour. Potemkin

Enlightened Despots • Gustav III of Sweden (r. 1771 -1792) – Forced Parliament to accept new constitution – Stimulated literature • Charles III of Spain (r. 1759 -1788) – Bourbon family – Improved life for Spanish – Suppressed Jesuits

Maria Theresa and Joseph II of the Hapsburg Empire (Austria) Note – mother and brother to Marie Antoinette (Queen of France) • Serfdom abolished in the Hapsburg Lands • Granted freedom of religion (very radical idea, especially in a Catholic empire) • Established a national education system • Developed equality before the law, even for the nobility • Many of the reforms were rolled back after revolutions broke out among the minority populations of the Hapsburg Empire

Maria Theresa and Joseph II of Austria (r. 1740 -1780) • • 16 children Built Schönbrunn Economic reforms Limited power of the Pope Reduced power of the lords Joseph abolished serfdom Poland divided

Maria Theresa • Reforms – Protected the rights of serfs: codes established regulating relationship with lords – Freed all peasants on crown lands – Started a paid bureaucracy (civil servants) – Set up elementary schools funded by local and state funds. – Created a tariff union of all parts of the HRE – Kicked the Jesuits out of the country

The Austrian Hapsburgs ►Maria Theresa (r. 1740 -1780): Wars of 1740 s led to internal consolidation ►Reduced serfdom (more than any other e. European ruler except her son Joseph II)

Josef II (1741 -1790) • Reign with Mom (17651780); all by himself (1780 -1790) • Huge fan of Enlightenment philosophers. – When MT died, he pushed for even greater reforms. “Too many notes”

Enlightenment Ideas Spread Most radical enlightened despot, Austria • Joseph II, became emperor 1780 • Ambitious reform program – Eliminated torture, death penalty – Provided free food, medicine for poor – Granted religious tolerance to Protestants and Jews – Abolished serfdom, laborers to be paid • Changes resisted by nobility, church

The Austrian Hapsburgs ►Joseph II (1765 -1790) – greatest of the Enlightened despots (“greatest good for greatest number”) – Abolished serfdom in 1781, freedom of press, freedom of religion & civic rights, more equitable justice system, made German official language (to assimilate minorities), increased control over Catholic education, expanded state schools, left empire in economic and political turmoil: Leopold I rescind many laws (e. g. , serfdom)

In a nutshell… • Enlightened Despots were not democrats, but topdown reformers. – They liked Enlightenment philosophy—especially Voltaire’s brand. • Reforms in general: – – – Codification of laws Limit church power Construct hospitals and elementary schools Develop centralized bureaucracy Modify serfdom

Advantages to Enlightened Despots: He/she can make changes that are good for the country (people) • Maria Theresa limited the amount of work required of peasants. • Frederick the Great = religious toleration and legal reforms

Limitations of Enlightened Despotism ﺣ Foreshadowed an age of revolution… How? ﺣ Enlightened Despotism is the culmination of the historic institution of monarchy; a centralizing but progressive institution that set itself against the feudal and ecclesiastical powers; after the French Revolution became nostalgic, backward-looking, supported by the church and aristocrats – wasn’t new enough, feudal yet not feudal =/ 18 th 8

Josef II • Reforms – Serfdom completely abolished. – Taxes were made equal for both serfs and nobles – Freedom of the press – Took property from the church to fund hospitals. – Relaxed laws binding Jews to villages. • His brother Leopold, however, was a huge reactionary, and rolled back a lot of the reforms. Leopold--Reactionary

Limitations of Enlightened Despotism ﺣ Foreshadowed an age of revolution… How? ﺣ Enlightened Despotism is the culmination of the historic institution of monarchy; a centralizing but progressive institution that set itself against the feudal and ecclesiastical powers; ﺣ after the French Revolution became nostalgic, backward-looking, supported by the church and aristocrats – wasn’t new enough, feudal yet not feudal =/ 18 th 8

All the enlightened despots ruled from top down.

They could only do so much without the peoples’ participation.

They are seen as brilliant, but flawed, monarchs.

On continental Europe, they were the last great rulers.

After their reigns, and the revolution, the ideas of Kings and Queens were seen as backward. The time for more enlightened ideas— maybe even revolution had come….

Alternatives to Absolutism ►Sweden – Nobles use the absence of the king during warfare to reaffirm their power. ►United Provinces – Merchants and landowners in the Estates General held the House of Orange in check. ►Poland – King was elected by nobles, who continued to hold the power.

What happened in England? The development of limited monarchy (Constitutional Monarchy)

• A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an hereditary or elected monarch as head of state. • Though the king or queen may be regarded as the government's symbolic head, it is the Prime Minister who actually governs the country. For example: Queen Elizabeth II of England. Constitutional Monarchy

The Monarch and Parliament • • What was Parliament? The representatives of the people. Why did England have a Parliament? Magna Carta in 1215.

Magna Carta: The Beginning • 1215 barons had enough & listed their grievances • List became known as Magna Carta (Great Charter) • John met barons at Runnymede • It introduced the idea that even the king must obey some laws!

Magna Carta • The king must not interfere with the Church • When a baron inherits land he should pay the king no more than £ 100 • The king cannot collect new taxes unless the barons and bishops agree • No freeman can be put in prison without trial by a jury • Justice will be without delays or bribes • Traders must be able to travel freely without having to pay tolls • The King’s men must not take anyone’s goods without paying for them. • As soon as peace is restored, all foreign merchants should leave the country.

How did Parliament interfere with absolute monarchy? • Parliament wanted to share power with the Monarch. • King James I, of the Stuart family, expected to be an absolute monarch and was challenged by Parliament.

England • James I – Son of Mary Queen of Scots – Raised by Scottish leaders – “Divine right of kings” – Royal monopolies – Dissolved Parliament – Lost favor of the people – Puritans' opposition

English monarchs attempted to establish absolute system • James I (1603 -1625) fought with Parliament over his authority. • Puritans wanted Anglican Church to reflect a Calvinist view. • James refused to cooperate, except for a new Bible translation. www. bbc. co. uk/history

James I and the clash with Parliament • James I wanted absolute power when he inherited the throne from Queen Elizabeth • Elizabeth wanted absolute power too, but was better at flattering parliament to get her way • Always conflict between the royalty and parliament over $ royalty wants $ for royal court and foreign wars

James I continued • Also annoyed people b/c he refused to make Puritan reforms (get rid of Catholic practices). • Hated when anyone told him what to do (sound familiar? ) • Known for the King James Bible – the Puritan translation of the old Bible

James I • Reigned 1603 -25 • The people disliked him • Jamestown & Plymouth, Massachusetts founded • England went into debt; James demanded high taxes • Argued with Parliament; wanted absolute monarchy as in Henry VIII’s day

King James I

• Charles I England – Son of James I – Revolt in Scotland • Scottish people did not feel fairly treated • Imposition of bishops versus presbyters – War with France • Unable to raise taxes without Parliament • Long Parliament – Civil War • Death of the king • Roundheads vs Cavaliers

Charles I • • 1625, James I dies and his son, Charles I, gets the throne Always needed $ for war When parliament denied $ requests, he dissolved parliament 1628, parliament gets back together and asks Charles to sign the Petition of Right

What was the Petition of Right? • An agreement between Parliament and the King that said the king must: • Get Parliament’s consent to raise taxes. • Not imprison subjects without due cause. • Not have martial law or house soldiers in time of peace.

Petition of Right • • No imprisonment without due cause No taxation without parliament’s consent No putting soldiers in private homes No martial law during peacetime • Charles I signed the petition and then ignored it – even dissolved parliament again and levied mad taxes on the people

How did the Petition of Right limit the monarchy in England? • The king had to follow rules. • Especially important the king had to ask Parliament’s permission to raise taxes

More of Charles I • The people hated the taxes (obviously)

What did Charles do to limit Parliament’s Power? • He did not allow them to meet for over ten years. • When they did meet he tried to arrest Parliament’s leaders • This started the English Civil War.

Charles loses his head in an argument • Charles I (1625 -1649) pursued an aggressive foreign policy with Spain. • Continually sought new funds from Parliament, members checked his power by forcing him to sign the Petition of Right, 1628. • When Charles dissolved Parliament and tried to raise money, civil war resulted. : www. mdarchives. state. md. us/. . . / 01 glance/images/charles 1. jpg

Parliamentary Parties • Tories: for a strong king, tended to be Anglicans & landless nobles (who got their titles from the king) • Whigs: for a strong Parliament, tended to be Anglicans who supported religious freedom, as well as merchants and lawyers; also included Puritans

English Civil War • Since Charles I ruled over Scotland AND England, there were several religions • Charles I wanted ONE religion – ended up in Civil War when the Scots rebelled • War cost $, so Charles needed Parliament hated him and wanted to limit his power – Supporters of Charles I = Royalists – The opposition supports Parliament = Roundheads

1642 Civil War • Erupted because Charles I refused to let Parliament meet from 1629 -40. When they finally did meet, refused to give him money unless he agreed to limit his own powers. • Tories willing to fight nicknamed “Cavaliers” (Fr. Chevalier=knight) • Puritans flocked to the banner of General Oliver Cromwell; known as “Roundheads” for their closely cropped, plain hair, in contrast with the fashionably long haired Cavaliers • Puritanism swept the lend; arts and sciences that flourished since Elizabeth went underground

More Civil War • Under leadership of Oliver Cromwell, the puritan roundheads finally won (1646) • Took Charles I hostage, tried him in front of the public and executed him • The decapitation -

Results of the English Civil War • Charles I lost and was tried and executed (Beheaded). • England was ruled by a military dictatorship for 9 years. • The Restoration lasted for 28 years. • Glorious Revolution changed kings without violence.

Oliver Cromwell defeats king’s forces and became Lord Protector • Charles executed for treason. • On paper, England was a republic but in practice a dictatorship. • Cromwell suppressed revolt in Ireland. • Imposed Puritan ideals on English. http: //www. graham. day. dsl. pipex. com/civilwar-cromwell. gif

Oliver Cromwell • 1649 he got rid of the monarchy and established a republican form of government • Sent most of the Parliamentary members home and eventually established a military dictatorship (he tore up the first constitution that his associate produced) • Since Ireland was under English rule, the Irish revolted against Cromwell and failed – 616, 000 Irish were killed by war, plague and famine

Puritan Morality • Cromwell and the Puritans wanted to improve England’s morality • Abolished all “sinful” things – like theater • Cromwell was tolerant of other religions despite his deep Puritan beliefs (EXCEPT CATHOLICS)

Interregnum • Latin for “between kings, ” 1649 -60 • England became a “Protectorate” instead of a commonwealth with Cromwell as “Lord Protector” • Scotland & Ireland conquered (hence Ireland’s anti. Protestant attitude • Oliver dies in 1658, his son Richard now Lord Protector • Richard proves to be inept, so people overthrow him in 1660, ask for monarchy

Great Chain of Being • May explain why English wanted a monarch again. • A way of looking at the universe and how it works • All beings and objects arranged in a hierarchy with God at the top and mere dust at the bottom • By killing the king, the chain is disrupted and chaos ensues

Monarchy Restored • When Cromwell died, so did his government. • English invited Charles II (1660 -1685) to restore monarchy. • Reign was a period of calm marked by court decadence.

Restoration and Revolution • English get sick of military rule and after Cromwell dies, they ask the older son of Charles I (Charles II) to rule England • Restoration of monarch = restoration • Allowed the return of theater and sports • Passed important guarantee of freedom: Habeas Corpus – “to have the body” – People need to know why they’re arrested – Could not be held indefinitely without trial

Monarchy In Crisis • On Charles’ death, brother became king. • James II (1685 -1688) was pro-Catholic, which angered many. • When his young wife produced an heir, Parliament feared a renewed period of turmoil and removed king from power. www. bbc. co. uk/. . . /monarchs_leaders/ images/james_2_full. jpg

James II and the Glorious Revolution • James II got the throne after Charles II died • Everyone hated James b/c he was flamboyantly Catholic and gave his Catholic friends good jobs • James was eventually peacefully overthrown by his own daughter and her husband (protestants) • William and Mary then ruled England

The Glorious Revolution William and Mary Restore English Monarchy • Parliament invited Mary, daughter of Charles I, and a Protestant, to jointly rule with her husband, William of Orange. (1689 -1702) • Both agreed to follow Parliamentary laws and accepted English Bill of Rights. • England became the only limited monarchy in Europe. Parliament in control. www. camelotintl. com/heritage/ rulers/images/willmary. gif

What were the results of the Glorious Revolution? • William and Mary ruled with Parliament = Constitutional Monarchy. • They agreed to a Bill of Rights that limited government’s (monarch’s) power • Cabinet system developed with the Prime Minister as leader.

Political Changes • First Constitutional Monarchy where laws limited the ruler’s power • Bill of Rights: – No suspension of Parliament’s laws – No taxes w/o Parliament’s consent – Freedom of speech in Parliament – No penalty for complaining about the King

Political Changes Continued • Established a Cabinet • Cabinet was a link b/w the majority party in Parliament and the King • Became center of power and policymaking – Still exists today – Leader of Cabinet = Prime Minister

1707 Act of Union • Unifies Scotland & England • Ireland is a subject nation • Nation known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland