APEURO APEURO Unit 4 Scientific Philosophical Political Developments Enlightened Absolutism Frederick the Great Catherine the Great Joseph II

Why This Matters

Enlightened Absolutism was a significant phenomenon in 18th-century Europe, where monarchs like Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II implemented reforms to strengthen their power while promoting the welfare of their subjects. This period is crucial for understanding the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the tension between absolute monarchy and the emerging ideas of the Enlightenment. Enlightened Absolutism demonstrates how monarchs adapted to the changing intellectual and social landscape, often using their power to promote progress and modernization.

Key Events & People

• Frederick the Great (1740-1786): King of Prussia who implemented significant military and cultural reforms, including the creation of the Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• Catherine the Great (1762-1796): Empress of Russia who expanded her empire through military conquests and promoted the arts and education, establishing the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens.
• Joseph II (1780-1790): Holy Roman Emperor who implemented a series of reforms, including the Edict of Toleration, which granted religious freedom to non-Catholics in the Habsburg Empire.
• The Prussian Reform Edict (1763): A series of reforms implemented by Frederick the Great to modernize the Prussian military and administrative systems.
• The Charter of the Nobility (1785): A law issued by Catherine the Great that reformed the Russian nobility, granting them greater autonomy and privileges.
• The Edict of Toleration (1781): A law issued by Joseph II that granted religious freedom to non-Catholics in the Habsburg Empire.
• The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens (1764): A school established by Catherine the Great to provide education for noble women.
• The Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences (1740): A cultural institution established by Frederick the Great to promote the arts and sciences.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Enlightenment ideas of reason and progress influenced monarchs to implement reforms.
• Effect: Monarchs like Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II implemented reforms to strengthen their power and promote the welfare of their subjects.
• Long-term consequence: Enlightened Absolutism laid the groundwork for the eventual decline of absolute monarchy and the rise of constitutional monarchy and democracy.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Enlightenment*: A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, progress, and individual rights.
  • Example: Frederick the Great's support for the Enlightenment ideas of Voltaire and Immanuel Kant.
• *Absolutism*: A system of government where the monarch holds complete power and authority.
  • Example: Catherine the Great's use of absolutism to expand her empire and promote her reforms.
• *Toleration*: The acceptance of different religions and beliefs within a society.
  • Example: Joseph II's Edict of Toleration, which granted religious freedom to non-Catholics in the Habsburg Empire.
• *Reform*: The process of changing or improving a system or institution.
  • Example: Frederick the Great's Prussian Reform Edict, which modernized the Prussian military and administrative systems.
• *Patronage*: The practice of supporting artists, writers, and intellectuals through financial or social means.
  • Example: Catherine the Great's patronage of the arts, which included the establishment of the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens.
• *Centralization*: The process of concentrating power and authority in a central location.
  • Example: Frederick the Great's centralization of power in Prussia, which allowed him to implement his reforms more effectively.
• *Bureaucracy*: A system of government where officials are appointed to manage and administer public affairs.
  • Example: Catherine the Great's creation of a bureaucracy to manage her vast empire.
• *Cultural Revolution*: A period of significant cultural change and innovation.
  • Example: The cultural revolution in Prussia under Frederick the Great, which included the establishment of the Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing Frederick the Great with Joseph II, or thinking that Catherine the Great was a minor figure in European politics.
• Correction: Frederick the Great was the King of Prussia, while Joseph II was the Holy Roman Emperor. Catherine the Great was a major figure in European politics, known for her military conquests and cultural achievements.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that Enlightened Absolutism was a rejection of absolute monarchy, rather than a reform of it.
• Correction: Enlightened Absolutism was a reform of absolute monarchy, where monarchs used their power to promote the welfare of their subjects and implement Enlightenment ideas.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that the Edict of Toleration was a major innovation in European politics.
• Correction: While the Edict of Toleration was an important law, it was not a major innovation in European politics. It was one of many reforms implemented by Joseph II to promote tolerance and religious freedom.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of Enlightened Absolutism in shaping European politics and society during the 18th century. Be sure to include specific examples from the reigns of Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II.
  • Evidence: The Prussian Reform Edict, the Charter of the Nobility, the Edict of Toleration, the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, and the Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the reforms implemented by Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great. How did their approaches to reform differ, and what were the consequences of their actions?
  • Evidence: The Prussian Reform Edict, the Charter of the Nobility, the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, and the Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• Possible document-based question: Analyze the following documents to understand the role of Enlightened Absolutism in shaping European politics and society during the 18th century:
  • The Prussian Reform Edict
  • The Charter of the Nobility
  • The Edict of Toleration
  • The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens
  • The Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences

Quick Self‑Check

1. Who was the King of Prussia who implemented significant military and cultural reforms?
   • Correct answer: Frederick the Great
   • Explanation: Frederick the Great was the King of Prussia who implemented significant military and cultural reforms, including the creation of the Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
2. What was the name of the law issued by Joseph II that granted religious freedom to non-Catholics in the Habsburg Empire?
   • Correct answer: The Edict of Toleration
   • Explanation: The Edict of Toleration was a law issued by Joseph II that granted religious freedom to non-Catholics in the Habsburg Empire.
3. What was the name of the school established by Catherine the Great to provide education for noble women?
   • Correct answer: The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens
   • Explanation: The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens was a school established by Catherine the Great to provide education for noble women.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ Frederick the Great was the King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786.
• ⚠️ Catherine the Great was the Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.
• ⚠️ Joseph II was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1780 to 1790.
• ⚠️ The Prussian Reform Edict was implemented in 1763.
• ⚠️ The Charter of the Nobility was issued in 1785.
• ⚠️ The Edict of Toleration was issued in 1781.
• ⚠️ The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens was established in 1764.
• ⚠️ The Prussian Academy of Arts and Sciences was established in 1740.
• ⚠️ Enlightened Absolutism was a reform of absolute monarchy, where monarchs used their power to promote the welfare of their subjects and implement Enlightenment ideas.
• ⚠️ The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that emphasized reason, progress, and individual rights.