Spread of Enlightenment IdeasChapter 5, Section 2

Enlightened despots – monarchs who developed a system of government in which they ruled according to Enlightenment ideas.

PrussiaRuler: Frederick II

Before: believed that it was duty to rule with absolute power to build Prussia’s strength

After: Reforms he implemented◦Elementary education◦Abolished torture◦Religious toleration◦Reduced censorship

Prussia (cont.)Was Frederick II and Prussia really

enlightened?

Reforms limited◦No religious toleration to Jews◦Opposed but didn’t abolish serfdom

RussiaRuler: Catherine II aka Catherine the Great

Before: Czars failed before her, she wanted to establish order and justice as well as new ideas

After: reforms she implemented◦Voltaire and Diderot◦Drafted a Russian constitution and code of

laws◦Wanted to free the serfs

Russia (cont.)Was Catherine II and Russia really

enlightened?

Reforms limited◦Laws and constitution was seen as too

liberal and did not pass◦Didn’t free the serfs for fear of loosing

noble support◦Became a tyrant

AustriaRuler: Joseph II

Before: Maria Theresa read and considered enlightenment ideas, but no real implementation of ideas

After: Very ambitious◦Eliminated torture and death penalty◦Free food and medicine for the poor◦Religious toleration for Jews and Protestants◦Abolished serfdom

Austria (cont.)Did Joseph II’s policies work?

Reforms limited◦Reforms resisted by nobility and the

church◦Had him reverse some of his reforms

Where the Enlightened Despots truly enlightened?

Influence Spreads1. Summarize what enlightenment

ideas are present in each document and who they are by.

2. What ideas are represented in both documents?

3. Which ideas do you think were most important and why?

Forming a New Government

Began with the Articles of Confederation◦Weak national government

Heated debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists – ◦in favor of a more centralized government◦Followers – Alexander Hamilton, James

Madison, John JayAnti-Federalists –

◦in favor of states having more power◦Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Thomas

Paine

The Constitutionfederal system – certain powers held

by federal government, others reserved for state governments

3 Branches of Government◦Executive◦Legislative◦Judicial

checks and balancesBill of Rights

◦First 10 Amendments◦Basic freedoms based on natural rights

Document Comparison What basic enlightenment ideas

do many of these documents have in common? Why?

Which ideas are the most important and why?