Enlightened Absolutism In Russia

725 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The age of absolutism, the enlightenment and world revolutions

Enlightened absolutism is a form of absolute monarchy inspired by the Enlightenment. During the 18th century, the Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that spread across Europe and beyond. The thinkers of the Enlightenment, known as philosophes, introduced ideas from the advances in science to change the way that people thought about government and society. Philosophes wanted to replace superstition, tyranny, and injustice with reason, tolerance, and legal equality. Many rulers in Europe and Russia used certain ideals of enlightened absolutism to govern their people and state. Although rulers agreed to some aspects of the ideals they were not true believers of the reforms. To maintain their power, they convinced society that they were …show more content…

Catherine II was motivated by the ideals of enlightened absolutism because she read the works of enlightenment writers and believed that certain reforms would ensure the well-being of her subjects. Catherine’s first major reform involved Russia’s legal system, which was based on the inefficient Code of Laws. Catherine's legal reform was documented to be the ideal government for Russia. The Empress called for a progressive legal system which focused on granting equal protection under law to all persons and emphasizing prevention of criminal acts rather than the imposing of harsh punishment. Catherine also reformed domestic matters after a series of threatening events. For security reasons, she reorganized provincial administration to favor the nobility. Catherine even reformed educational facilities by increasing the number of elementary and secondary schools. She also gave attention to the arts and science, making St. Petersburg one of the most cultural place in Europe during her reign. The reforms that were influenced by enlightened absolutism were appealing to Catherine II because it would bring peace and stability to Russia and its people. This made her favorable among her people, thus making her more …show more content…

After becoming familiar with the ideals of enlightened absolutism, Joseph II was determined to bring power and efficiency to the state. He would do this with various reforms with his monarchical rule against the Church and nobility. Joseph II was mostly committed to reform the political system because he wanted the best for the people he ruled against. He also believed people should share their views freely, so he made it possible for society to publicly debate on issues. The press was uncensored, therefore, writers, journalist, scientists, and scholars were allowed to publish their own works. The purpose of Joseph's reforms was to do good for the common people. Little did he know that his attempt to please people made them alienate him. His radical reforms eventually brought about a revolt, bringing everyone against

Show More
Related

  • Absolutism Dbq Essay

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    Absolutism is defined as a form of government where the monarch rules their land freely without legal opposition. In modern times, when democracy is the ideal, this form of government seems cruel and tyrannical; however, there was an era when it thrived in European politics. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, absolute rule was justified by the concept of divine right and its improvements to the security and efficiency of a nation.

    Read More

  • The Palace of Versailles and the Absolutism of Louis XIV

    1705 Words  | 4 Pages

    Absolutism describes a form of monarchical power that is unrestrained by all other institutions, such as churches, legislatures, or social elites. To achieve absolutism one must first promote oneself as being powerful and authoritative, then the individual must take control of anyone who might stand in the way of absolute power. The Palace of Versailles helped King Louis XIV fulfill both of those objectives. Versailles used propaganda by promoting Louis with its grandiosity and generous portraits that all exuded a sense of supremacy. Versailles also helped Louis take control of the nobility by providing enough space to keep them under his watchful eye. The Palace of Versailles supported absolutism during King Louis XIV’s reign through propaganda, and control of nobility.

    Read More

  • Dbq On Enlightenment

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Locke’s ideas on creating a government by the people and Voltaire’s ideas on practicing any religion shows how many enlightenment philosophers wanted people to live peacefully with others and the society. The ideas of many philosophers helped shape the capitalist, democratic world in which we live today. Today's government was created with a legislative and executive branch, like what Locke suggested and women have more rights, such as getting education and jobs that are same as those of men. Enlightenment philosophers main ideas on increasing human rights and equality helped create a better society during the Enlightenment period and

    Read More

  • Absolutism And Democracy

    526 Words  | 2 Pages

    Absolute monarchy (Absolutism), it is a form of monarchy in which a single ruler has supreme authority and it is not restricted by any written laws or customs. An example of absolutism monarchy is French King Louis XIV, Russian Tsar Peter the Great, or English King Henry VIII. Democracy is a system of government by elected representatives or officials. Example of democracy is the United States. These type of government exist in the 17th and 18th century in Europe. So the question is, which type of government was considered the most effective in Europe? In my opinion, I believe that absolutism was the most effective in Europe.

    Read More

  • How Did European Monarchs Increase Their Power In The 17th And 18th Century

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    An avid admirer of Peter the Great, she created her version of Peter the Great’s decrees known as The Grand Instructions in 1768 even though she never really put these ideas into practice. Catherine the Great tightened her control on serfs and peasants through the creation of the Decree of Serfs. This decree stated that serfs and peasants must submit to their landlords in all matters or they face arrest. They were banned from sending petitions complaining about their landlords. This allowed the monarchy to control serfs and peasants in the prevention of any uprising or revolts in the future which also favored the nobles. Ironically, Catherine claimed to believe in “the liberal rhetoric of the Enlightenment” (Catherine 2nd Proposals and Decree on Serfs) however, she evidently ruled Russia with a tight rein. By putting the nobility on such a high pedestal she was ensuring that she had the support and backing of the nobility to maintain her government in Russia. After all, no monarchies in 17th and 18th centuries were secure never without the beloved

    Read More

  • Enlightment for Fredrick the Great of Prussia and Joseph II of Austria

    775 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, Joseph II was a much more enlightened thinker than Frederick the Great, but Frederick reached the goals of the Enlightenment while Joseph did not. Frederick more so clothed absolutism with the robes of the Enlightenment and consequently advanced the ideas of the Enlightenment successfully. Joseph II was more rushed in his applications of these new ideas on the unprepared society he ruled and therefore did not advance Enlightenment ideas.

    Read More

  • Classical Liberalism: Two Treatises on Government by John Locke

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Locke, and his book Two Treatises on Government, impacted the Enlightenment by spreading the ideals around the world, which influenced revolutions. Locke wrote that “the state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions” (Locke. sect 6). This ideal was the basis of the revolution sparked from Enlightenment ideals. Locke believed that man had a set of rights, which were given to a man when he is born. These rights cannot be taken away from a man based on social class, race, or anything else. When the revolutions started, the people believed that the king had been infringing on their natural rights. “All men may be restrained from invading others rights” (Locke. sect. 7) and this includes people of nobility as well as common people. Paine says in Common Sense that “the king is not to be trusted without being looked after, or in other words, that a thirst for absolute power is the natural disease of monarchy” (Paine. page 10). A big theme with Enlightenment wr...

    Read More

  • Rebirth of Hellenism during the Enlightenment

    1344 Words  | 3 Pages

    To begin with, the Enlightenment applied scientific methods to the study of human society just as prominent philosophers of Ancient Greece and Rome. The Enlightenment period began with John Locke, an English philosopher who held a new concept of God called Deism, or the need for proof. He argued that people could learn everything they needed to know through their senses and reason, so faith was irrelevant. Locke published a book titled, Two Treatises of Civil Government which explains his theory of natural rights and natural law for all individuals. He then uses this to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate civil governments, and to argue for the rationality of a revolt against tyrannical governments. This was an idea of a social contract. This means that in order for one to be under the authority of a government, it must protect their rights to life, liberty, and property. If a government failed to protect these rights, then the people had the right to have a new government. This is the idea of popular sovereignty. Additionally, Adam Smith, a Scottish philosopher argued that people act according to their own interest, but promote economic advancements while in competition. This meant that government should not regulate to favor individuals. It was decided that rational laws co...

    Read More

  • Voltaire's Affect on Modern Western Society

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    Voltaire’s ideas also criticized royal absolutism because they had, in his opinion, too much power. He favored an enlightened absolutist, which is an absolutist who adopts enlightenment ideas. Once again, the French commoners took this to heart and agreed with Voltaire that the French government was too powerful.... ... middle of paper ...

    Read More

  • Absolutism Research Paper

    1387 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the 17th and 18th centuries, absolute monarchies were dominating in European countries. National governments became more centralized and local power and autonomy became more powerful. This rise in power of the monarchy and national government was referred to as the Age of Absolutism. These absolute monarchies began to rise as a result of the violent wars of religion during the Reformation and the increase of power among kings. With the aristocracy dominating in the 17th century, it was difficult to administer the state without directly taking power out of their hands. The basis of absolutism included aristocracy, national churches in which kings had the divine right, bureaucracy, standing armies, and fancy ceremonies. At the expense of freedom, absolutism was able to establish order. Despite this, Niccolò Machiavelli, a well-known Italian historian, philosopher, politician, and author, defended absolutism. He argued for order executed by the prince in the best interest of the people. Machiavelli was influential during a time when political conditions were unstable, prompting him to come to the conclusion that people were naturally irrational and unreliable. Absolutism eventually declined in power when the Enlightenment was introduced. The Enlightenment formed as a result of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution and undermined absolutism. Differing from the Age of Absolutism, people were regarded as rational and logical beings during this “Age of Reason.” As a result of the Enlightenment, two important philosophers emerged: John Locke and Karl Marx. John Locke, a political scientist and philosopher, was regarded as the founder of the Enlightenment. He advocated ideas of human rights and equality and challen...

    Read More

  • The End of Absolutism in Europe

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the late 17th and early 18th century, many European nations such as France and Russia were absolute monarchies. Even countries such as England had kings who at least attempted to implement absolutism. Indeed the concept of absolutism, where the monarch is the unquestionably highest authority and absolute ruler of every element in the realm, is certainly appealing to any sovereign. However, this unrestricted power was abused, and by the end of the 18th century, absolutism was gone. Absolutism failed because the monarchs' mistreatment of the population caused the people to revolt against their rule and policies. There are many factors which caused this discontent. For one, there was a great loss of human lives. Louis XIV of France participated in four wars, while Peter of Russia ruthlessly executed anyone who stood against his will. Secondly, monarchs attempted to change religious beliefs. This was notable in England where rulers such as James II desired to convert the Anglican nation into Catholicism. Finally, the burden of taxation was more than the population could support. France was brought into huge foreign debt, English kings constantly attempted to raise money, and Peter of Russia increased taxes by 550 percent. These are some of the key reasons why absolutism failed in Europe.

    Read More

  • Enlightened Despots

    572 Words  | 2 Pages

    Joseph II sought to govern in the spirit of enlightened despotism, initiating a far-reaching program of reform. He was a good man who sensed the misery and hopelessness of the lower classes. He believed serfdom to be bad. He would not compromise with evil, therefore he abolished serfdom. Joseph II insisted on equality of taxation. Where Maria Theresa collected taxes from nobles, it wasn't equal. In addition, Joseph II insisted on equal punishment for equal crimes. Nobles and commoners received the same punishment for the same crime. And, he insisted that legal punishments be made less cruel. Joseph II was a model Enlightened Despot, but few of his reforms were long lasting.

    Read More

  • Enlightenment and Puritans

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this “awakening” time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparison to what they believed which was a belief of strong rational religion and morality. Enlightened society believed that the use of reason would be a catalyst of social change and had a demand of political representation thus resulting in a time in history where individualism was widely accepted amongst the new world. Puritan society believed strongly in myth, magic, and religious superstitions that was immensely used by the Puritans before democracy, capitalism, and the scientific revolution gave rise from the Enlightenment period.

    Read More

  • How Did The Enlightenment Affect The Age Of Absolutism

    1566 Words  | 4 Pages

    There were several flaws in an Absolutism government. These flaws include that monarchs believed that they were above everyone else, and that kings were harsh. In Machiavelli's The Prince he describes that, “Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it,”. In this excerpt from his writing, Machiavelli is describing that a ruler has to be tough and mean and not nice, in order to be a good ruler. Rulers being tough in cruel was just one of the major flaws of absolutism, that drove individuals away from absolute monarchy governments. Furthermore, in Monarchies individuals were not given full freedoms and independence, and all the choices were made by a single individual. The ideas expressed by King Louis include, “The head alone has the right to deliberate and decide,”. King Louis XIV’s ideas shows that in a monarchy all decisions are made by one single person, a monarch. In King Louis viewpoint this type of government was the best, but to to others such as enlightenment thinkers it was flawed. All decisions being made by a single ruler was an additional major flaw, of Absolutism. Furthermore, individuals did not like how King’s believed they were above everyone else. The ideas King James I of England

    Read More

  • Absolutism In 18th Century

    511 Words  | 2 Pages

    What was absolutism? Absolutism was a political theory that one ruler should hold all of the power within their territories, with no checks or balances from any other part of the nation or government. An absolute monarch could make law, dispense justice, create and direct a bureaucracy, declare war, and levy taxation, without the approval of any other governing body. Several monarchs in Europe practiced absolutism during the 16th through 18th centuries. It has been used in many regions throughout history. In ancient times, Shi Huangdi in China, Darius in Persia, and the Roman Caesars were all absolute rulers. The absolute rulers implemented and enforced control over their subjects by levying taxation, controlling nobility, the clergy, and the provincial courts and controlling a country’s economy. These three things were the main ways that absolute rulers abused their power.

    Read More

More about Enlightened Absolutism In Russia

Open Document