APEURO: Unit 3, Absolutism and Constitutionalism - Central and Eastern European Absolutism, Prussia, Austria, Russia

Why This Matters

Central and Eastern European Absolutism, particularly in Prussia, Austria, and Russia, played a crucial role in shaping the modern European state system. This phenomenon is significant for understanding the larger period of the Enlightenment and the rise of nationalism, as it highlights the tension between absolute monarchs and the emerging forces of democracy and constitutionalism. The AP theme of Politics and Power is particularly relevant here, as these monarchs sought to consolidate their authority and create centralized states, often at the expense of local autonomy and individual rights.

Key Events & People

• Frederick William I of Prussia (1688-1740): Implemented a series of military and administrative reforms to create a strong, centralized state, including the creation of a professional army and a system of taxation.
• Maria Theresa of Austria (1717-1780): Successfully defended her empire against the Ottoman Empire and implemented a series of reforms to strengthen the Habsburg state, including the creation of a new tax system and the promotion of education and the arts.
• Catherine the Great of Russia (1729-1796): Expanded Russian territory through a series of military conquests, including the annexation of Crimea and the partition of Poland, and implemented a series of reforms to modernize the Russian state, including the creation of a new system of education and the promotion of the arts.
• Joseph II of Austria (1741-1790): Implemented a series of reforms to create a more centralized and efficient state, including the abolition of serfdom and the promotion of education and the arts.
• Peter the Great of Russia (1672-1725): Implemented a series of reforms to modernize the Russian state, including the creation of a new system of education and the promotion of Western culture.
• The Partitions of Poland (1772-1795): The division of Poland among Prussia, Russia, and Austria, which marked the end of Poland's independence and had significant consequences for the balance of power in Europe.
• The Seven Years' War (1756-1763): A global conflict that involved many of the major European powers, including Prussia, Austria, and Russia, and had significant consequences for the balance of power in Europe.
• The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748): A treaty that ended the War of the Austrian Succession and recognized the independence of Prussia, which marked a significant turning point in the history of Central and Eastern Europe.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of nationalism and the desire for independence among the Polish people.
• Effect: The Partitions of Poland, which marked the end of Poland's independence and had significant consequences for the balance of power in Europe.

• Long-term consequence: The creation of a new balance of power in Europe, with Prussia, Austria, and Russia emerging as major powers and Poland becoming a client state of these powers.

• Cause: The military conquests of Catherine the Great of Russia.

• Effect: The expansion of Russian territory and the creation of a new empire.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of Russia as a major power in Europe and the creation of a new balance of power in the region.

• Cause: The reforms of Joseph II of Austria.

• Effect: The creation of a more centralized and efficient state in Austria.
• Long-term consequence: The strengthening of the Habsburg state and the promotion of the arts and education in Austria.

Essential Vocabulary

• Absolutism: A system of government in which the monarch holds absolute power and is not limited by a constitution or laws.
• Centralization: The process of creating a more centralized state, often at the expense of local autonomy and individual rights.
• Nationalism: The desire for independence and self-governance among a particular nation or people.
• Enlightenment: A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the importance of education and the arts.
• Serfdom: A system of feudalism in which peasants were bound to the land and were required to provide labor and goods to their lords.
• Tzar: A title given to the ruler of Russia, equivalent to the title of king or emperor.
• Habsburg: A royal house that ruled Austria and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe from the 13th to the 20th centuries.
• Partition: The division of a country or territory among several powers or states.
• Constitution: A document that outlines the powers and limitations of a government and the rights of its citizens.
• Feudalism: A system of social hierarchy in which lords and vassals held power and peasants were bound to the land.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Partitions of Poland with the Congress of Vienna, which was a later event that redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
• Correction: The Partitions of Poland were a series of events that took place in the late 18th century, in which Poland was divided among Prussia, Russia, and Austria. The Congress of Vienna, on the other hand, took place in 1815 and redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that the reforms of Joseph II of Austria were a complete success and that they led to the creation of a more democratic and equal society.
• Correction: While Joseph II's reforms were significant and had a lasting impact on Austrian society, they were not without controversy and were often resisted by the nobility and the clergy. Additionally, the reforms did not lead to the creation of a more democratic and equal society, but rather to a more centralized and bureaucratic state.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the Partitions of Poland on the balance of power in Europe. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and the Seven Years' War.
• Possible evidence: The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the Partitions of Poland, the Seven Years' War, the writings of Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the reforms of Joseph II of Austria with those of Catherine the Great of Russia. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the creation of a new system of education and the promotion of the arts.
• Possible evidence: The reforms of Joseph II, the reforms of Catherine the Great, the writings of Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau, the works of artists and writers such as Mozart and Goethe.

Quick Self?Check

1. Who was the ruler of Prussia during the Seven Years' War? Answer: Frederick the Great. Explanation: Frederick the Great was the ruler of Prussia during the Seven Years' War, which took place from 1756 to 1763.
2. What was the significance of the Partitions of Poland? Answer: The Partitions of Poland marked the end of Poland's independence and had significant consequences for the balance of power in Europe. Explanation: The Partitions of Poland were a series of events that took place in the late 18th century, in which Poland was divided among Prussia, Russia, and Austria.
3. Who was the ruler of Russia during the expansion of Russian territory? Answer: Catherine the Great. Explanation: Catherine the Great was the ruler of Russia during the expansion of Russian territory, which took place in the late 18th century.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Partitions of Poland took place in 1772, 1793, and 1795.
• The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed in 1748 and ended the War of the Austrian Succession.
• The Seven Years' War took place from 1756 to 1763 and involved many of the major European powers.
• Catherine the Great expanded Russian territory through a series of military conquests, including the annexation of Crimea and the partition of Poland.
• Joseph II's reforms included the creation of a new system of education and the promotion of the arts.
• The Habsburg royal house ruled Austria and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe from the 13th to the 20th centuries.
• The Congress of Vienna took place in 1815 and redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
• The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the importance of education and the arts.
• Serfdom was a system of feudalism in which peasants were bound to the land and were required to provide labor and goods to their lords.