Euro Enlightenment

Enlightened Despotism: Evolved from absolutism, combining features of rational governance and modernization.
Historical roots linked to Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia.
Characteristics include:
- Infrastructure development (drained marshes, built roads).
- Legal codification and reduced provincial autonomy.
- Emphasis on a centralized, bureaucratic state.
- Rulers viewed themselves as "first servants of the state" rather than divine monarchs.
- Advocated for religious toleration and secular governance.

Enlightened despots rejected divine right, favoring governance justified by societal benefit.
Conflict with the Jesuit order, leading to its significant decline post-1760.
Notable reforms after 1740 included promoting toleration and limiting church influence.

Desire to reform and accelerate centralizing efforts while bypassing traditional feudal structures.
The evolution of the concept of the state from personal ownership by monarchs to a collective authority.

Louis XV: Struggled for reform amid indifference and poor governance.
Government's financial problems attributed to tax exemptions for privileged classes—nobles and clergy.
Attempted tax reforms failed due to resistance, illustrating obstacles faced by Louis XVI's reforms.

Louis XVI: Sought reforms but faced strong opposition from the restored parlements, which blocked tax increases, leading to a deepening financial crisis.
Enlightened despotism in France thus experienced significant limitations due to vested interests.

Faced weak internal cohesion; focused on tax reform and reducing noble power to stabilize the monarchy.
Enacted laws against serfdom abuses but proceeded cautiously to avoid backlash.

Continuation and escalation of reform, introducing radical changes such as:
- Abolishing serfdom and establishing equality in taxation.
- Promoting religious toleration (including rights for Jews).
- Implementing a centralized bureaucratic system.
Clashed with the Catholic Church, leading to resistance.
Many reforms proved unsustainable posthumously, demonstrating the limits of despotic rule.

Noted for his intellectual gifts, stabilizing and modernizing Prussian governance after the Seven Years' War.
Promoted laws, religious freedom, and education but preserved social stratification.
Policies maintained the serfdom system, especially among private landlords due to noble influence.
Lacked a succession plan, contributing to Prussia's vulnerability post-reign.

Russian Empire largely passive during the Enlightenment, influenced more by external thinkers than producing its own.
Adoption of French culture among the elite further distanced the nobility from Russia’s lower classes.