March 30  Enlightened absolutism

attendance quiz

key terms for last lecture:  Mozart, the classical style

key terms for today: enlightened absolutism, Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Joseph II, Toleration Patent, Cesare Beccaria, the physiocrats


questions:  to what extent were enlightened ideas used by governments of this period? 
what impact, if any, did these ideas have not only on government policy, but also on the nature of government itself?

I.  the concept of enlightened absolutism/ historiography

II.  enlightened governance

dynastic table


Frederick II ("the Great") of Prussia
reigned 1740-1786


Catherine II ("the Great") of Russia
reigned 1762-1796

Joseph II of Austria
reigned 1780-1790



monarchical engagement in enlightened activities
correspondence
Freemasonry
music

religious policies
increased state control over the Church
toleration

legal reforms
Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794)
On Crimes and Punishments (1764)
Catherine's legislative commission of 1767
Instruction

the nature of monarchical government
"first servant of the state"

III.  limitations
the physiocrats
Jacques Turgot