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Enlightened absolutism (also known as enlightened despotism) is the absolutist rule of an enlightened monarch . This is a reference to the so-called Enlightenment, a historical period of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The main Enlightenment-era proponent of this system was Voltaire, who regularly corresponded with several of the rulers of this time.Enlightened monarchs were monarchs who distinguished themselves from traditional monarchs in the way they governed. Specifically, Enlightened Monarchs ruled their subjects using the principles of the Enlightenment. In order to be considered "enlightened", they must allow religious toleration, freedom of speech and press, and the right to hold private property. They must foster the arts, sciences, and educations. Above all, they must not be arbitrary in their rules; they must obey the laws and enforce them fairly for all subjects.
Although their reigns were influenced by Enlightenment ideas, their beliefs about royal power were often similar to those of traditional monarchs. Many enlightened monarchs believed that they had the right to govern by birth.
In effect, the monarchs ruled with the intent of improving the lives of their subjects in order to strengthen or reinforce their authority.
The abolition of serfdom in Europe was achieved by enlightened rulers.
In the spirit of Enlightened absolutism, Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire once said: "Everything for the people, nothing by the people".
1 Some enlightened despots
- Friedrich II of Prussia ( 1740- 1786)
- Maria Theresa of AustriaMaria Theresa ( May 13, 1717 November 29, 1780) was a Habsburg by birth and a Holy Roman Empress by marriage, Archduchess of Austria, and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia from 1740 to 1780. Maria has been called an " enlightened monarch", but this status is u (1740- 1780Events January 16 American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cape St. Vincent February, Armed Neutrality of the North alliance formed between Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. March 26 The British Gazette and Sunday Monitor the first Sunday newspaper in Britain May) - Note that her status as an enlightened despot is debated
- Charles III of SpainCharles III ( January 20, 1716 December 14, 1788) was king of Spain from 1759 to 1788. The first son of the second marriage of Philip V with Elizabeth Farnese of Parma, he was one of the so-called " enlightened monarchs". It was his good fortune to be sen ( 1759Events January 11 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first American life insurance company is incorporated. January 13 The Tavora family is executed following the accusation of attempted regicide on Joseph I of Portugal January 15 The British Museum opens- 1788Events January 1 First edition of The Times previously The Daily Universal Register was published. January 2 Georgia ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 4th U. January 9 Connecticut ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes t) (Charles VII of NaplesAlternate uses: See Naples (disambiguation Naples ( Italian Napoli Neapolitan Napule from Greek Neapolis/) is the largest town in southern Italy, capital of the region of Campania. The city has a population of about 1 million, and together with its suburb; 1734Events January 8 Premiere of George Frideric Handel's opera Ariodante at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. June 17 French troops take Philippsburg, but the Duke of Berwick is killed June 21 In Montreal in New France, a black slave known by the French-1759)
- Catherine II of RussiaCatherine the Great Catherine II II Yekaterina II Alekseyevna ( April 21, 1729 November 6, 1796), born Sophie Augusta Fredericka and usually known in English as Catherine the Great reigned as empress of Russia from June 28, 1762 to her death in 1796., "Catherine the Great" ( 1762- 1796)
- Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor ( 1765- 1790)
- Gustav III of Sweden ( 1771- 1792)
- Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor (1790-1792)
- Napoleon I of France ( 1804- 1814/ 1815)
- William I of the Netherlands ( 1815- 1840)
- Marquis of Pombal, Prime-minister of Portugal
- Louis XIV of France (1638-1715)
