Enlightened Despots

1. Peter the Great

1.1. Led cultural revolution based on Enlightenment

1.2. Revolutionized social and political systems

2. Catherine the Great

2.1. Catherinian Era -Golden Age of Russia

2.2. Freed Russian nobles from military and state service

2.3. Reformed cities and towns

2.4. Patron of the arts during the age of Russian Enlightenment

3. Embrace of rationality

3.1. Reason allowed for authority and legitimacy

3.2. Thinking centered on reason

3.3. The thinking of the enlightened despots undermined authority of the monarchy and the Church

3.4. Reform by non-violent means

4. Other enlightened despots

4.1. Joseph II

4.2. Louis XIV

4.3. Maria Theresa

5. Enlightened Despotism

5.1. Form of government in which absolute monarchs pushed for enlightened reform

5.2. 18h century

6. Frederick the Great

6.1. King of Prussia from 1740-1786

6.2. Patron of the arts and supporter of enlightenment reform

6.3. Interested in music and philosophy rather than war