APEURO UNIT 4 Enlightened Absolutism

Enlightened Absolutist

A ruler of the 18th century who embraced Enlightenment ideas while maintaining absolute power, using reason and reform to improve society.

Fredrick the Great

King of Prussia known for his military victories, extensive reforms, and promotion of religious tolerance and education

inherited a powerful army and therefore sought to expand his territory; seized Silesia in the War of Austrian Succession; his struggle in the Seven Years’ War led him to consider rule by more humans Enlightenment priniciples

Enforced religious toleration, legal reforms, and bureaucratic reform (Cameralism)

Silesia

a region in Central Europe under Hapsburg control that was the center of conflict during the War of Austrian Succession, seized by Frederick the Great from Austria.

War of Austrian Succession

A conflict from 1740 to 1748 involving several European powers over the succession to the Austrian throne, primarily between Austria and Prussia.

Maria Theresa

The only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and queen of Hungary and Bohemia, whose reign was marked by conflicts, reforms, and the challenge to her authority during the War of Austrian Succession.

Peter III

The Emperor of Russia who reigned for a brief period in 1762, known for his support of Frederick the Great and enthusiasm for Prussian policies, which ultimately led to his removal from the throne.

jesuits

educators whose role’s importance Fredrick the Great upheld, although he was a Lutheran

Cameralism

An economic theory in 18th century Prussia that emphasized that monarchy is the most effective form of government, and thus all aspects of state and society should be subservient to the monarch; however, the monarch had the responsibility to use their power for the good of the people

Catherine the Great

married Peter III and became Empress of Russia after plotting his murder; aimed to continue Peter’s efforts to westernize Russia (imported western architects and artists, brought in the Encyclopedie, etc), enacted legal reforms (outlawed torture in Russia, limited religious toleration), territorial expansion (partition of Poland)

Partition of Poland

The division of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth among Russia, Prussia, and Austria in the late 18th century, which ultimately led to the disappearance of Poland as a sovereign state; Catherine the Great was involved in this

Pugachev Rebellion

A massive uprising in 1773-1775 led by Emelian Pugachev, which sought to overthrow Catherine the Great and address peasant grievances. The rebellion was fueled by discontent with serfdom and oppressive policies; crushed by Catherine’s army, reversing any of Catherine’s plans about reforming serfdom

Emelian Pugachev

revolted against Catherine the Great in an attempt to abolish serfdom; proclaimed himself the true tsar of Russia and abolished serfdom; his army was crushed by Catherine’s, reversing any of Catherine’s plans about reforming serfdom

Joseph II

The Holy Roman Emperor and Enlightened Absolutist who implemented extensive reforms in Austria, including religious tolerance, legal equality, and the abolition of serfdom, but faced resistance and limited success in their implementation.

Signed the Edict of Toleration, increased the freedom of the press, put strictures on the power of the Catholic Church; he made these reforms without consulting the nobility or clergy, leading to domestic turrmoil

Edict of Toleration

A decree enacted by Joseph II in 1781 that granted religious freedom to various religious groups in Austria, including Jewish people, promoting tolerance and civil rights for non-Catholics.

Jewish people

religious group for the most part excluded from gaining rights during the Enlightenment and were still subject to discrimination

Haskalah

A Jewish Enlightenment movement that aimed to promote education, integration, and modernization among Jewish communities in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Montesqieu

argued that there were 3 types of government:

1. democracy: suitable for small states

2. monarchies: ruled mid-sized kingdoms

3. despotic states: empires that were governed with an iron hand

Louis XV

French ruler who, as Joseph II was ruling Austria, attempted to follow Enlightenment principles without losing his absolute power; attempted to get rid of the Parlements

Parlements

French regional courts that were part of the judicial system, which held authority to register royal decrees and were seen as a representation of the law and governance.

Bourbon Reforms

A series of administrative, economic, and military reforms undertaken by the Bourbon monarchy in Spain during the 18th century aimed at modernizing the Spanish Empire; allowed for people born in Spanish colonies of Spanish descent to rise a bit higher; outlawed the Jesuits

Peter I

The Tsar of Russia who implemented extensive reforms to modernize Russia, expand its territory, and transform it into a major European power.

reorganized military + nobility/who had political power, making the nobility into a meritocracy; eliminated the power of the Patriarch in the Eastern Orthodox Church; amassed a standing army; built St. Petersburg to imitate Western cities; promoted education (including for women)

Charles XII

Swedish king who reigned during the Great Northern War, known for his military leadership and attempts to expand Swedish territory, defeating Russian forces at Narva in 1700; eventually, though, Peter I conquered Sweden and obtained Sweden’s continental territory

Synod

An assembly of church officials or leaders, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, responsible for making decisions on doctrinal and administrative matters.

Sophia Alekseyevna

The sister of Peter I of Russia, who served as regent during his childhood and was a key figure in the early years of his reign, known for her attempts to control power in Russia before Peter asserted his authority.

“Sacred Trust”

A principle used in Russia that referred to the divine right of the tsar to govern and protect the Orthodox faith, reflecting the connection between the church and state.

Streltsy

The elite military corps in Russia, established in the 16th century, which played a significant role in politics and often acted as a powerful force during the reigns of various tsars; revolted against Peter the Great, and he had them executed

House of Brandenburd-Prussia

A German state that rose to prominence under the leadership of the Hohenzollern family, significant for its eventual role in the unification of Germany and its influence in European politics during the Enlightenment.

Hohenzollern Family

A prominent German dynasty that ruled Brandenburg and Prussia, known for expanding its power and influence, particularly in the 18th century.

Great Elector Fredrick William

one of the 7 Electors of the Holy Roman Empire; participated in the 30 Years’ War became the King of Prussia, which was deemed a kingdom by Poland as Sweden weakened

Fredrick III

the Elector of Brandenburg who became the first King in Prussia, later known as Fredrick I, in 1701; demonstrated affluence

Reinfeudation

the practice of restoring feudal rights or privileges to nobles and landowners in exchange for loyalty or service, often used as a means of consolidating power.

King Fredrick William I

was the King of Prussia from 1713 to 1740, known for his strong military reforms and emphasis on discipline in both his army and society and significantly expanded the size and efficiency of the Prussian military; created the General Directory

General Directory

an administrative body created by Frederick William I to oversee the financial, military, and civil administration of Prussia.