1. Enlightened despots
1.1. Absolute monarchs that adopted Enlightenment ideas. Encouraged political and social change.
1.2. Frederick the Great
1.2.1. Ruled Prussia (1740-1786), saw himself as a "first servant of the state"
1.2.2. Allowed free press, freedom of religion, reduced torture
1.2.3. Made Prussian government more efficient
1.3. Catherine the Great
1.3.1. Empress of Russia starting in 1762
1.3.2. Expanded the empire, supported ideas of liberty and religious freedom
1.4. Joseph II
1.4.1. Maria Theresa's son
1.4.2. Abolished serfdom, sold property for education and hospitals, allowed religious freedom and free press
2. Art and literature
2.1. Baroque style (1600's-1700's); colorful, full of excitement, depicted wars of the lives of saints.
2.2. Rococo style; lighter, elegant, made to inspire
2.3. Novels surfaced (late 1600's)
2.4. Classical music
2.4.1. Era of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart
2.4.2. Plays to music, opera, and ballets formed
3. New Ideas
3.1. Born from Paris, France
3.2. A focus on decreasing censorship
3.2.1. Expose French corruption and inform people
3.2.2. Allowed people to share findings and information
3.2.3. Opinions surfaced in 1600's, especially in salons where philosophers and thinkers met to discuss ideas
3.3. In order to achieve a more just society.
3.3.1. Reforms in government
3.3.2. Class system eliminated
3.3.3. Revolts and weakened monarchy
3.3.4. Institution of serfdom was challenged
3.4. Fueled by education
3.4.1. Divine right viewed as irrational
3.4.2. Scientific findings allowed society to progress