Notes for Frederick the Great vs Joseph II of Austria - IB | RevisionDojo
Frederick the Great vs Joseph II of Austria Notes
Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, was the king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He was a brilliant military strategist, an intellectual and patron of the arts, and an "enlightened absolutist" who transformed Prussia into a dominant European power during his 46-year reign.
Frederick the Great of Prussia (1740–1786)
Frederick embraced Enlightenment culture, supporting religious tolerance, limited freedom of the press, and legal reforms to make the justice system more rational.
He promoted education, founded schools, and encouraged agricultural innovation.
Reforms mainly benefited the elite, and serfdom remained largely untouched.
Frederick used Enlightenment ideas to improve state efficiency rather than to bring equality. He called himself the “first servant of the state,” showing his role as a rational ruler, but avoided deep social reform.
Joseph II (1741–1790) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 and the sole ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 until his death. A leading proponent of "enlightened absolutism," his reign was marked by ambitious, top-down reforms intended to modernize and centralize the state according to Enlightenment ideals.
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Introduction to Enlightened Despotism
Enlightened Despotism refers to a form of absolute monarchy inspired by the principles of the Enlightenment. Rulers adopted reforms to modernize their states while maintaining absolute power.
The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.
Enlightened despots believed in using rational principles to govern but were primarily concerned with strengthening their own power.
DefinitionEnlightened DespotismA form of absolute monarchy where rulers implemented reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideas while maintaining their absolute power.
AnalogyThink of enlightened despotism as a parent who allows their child some freedom but still maintains strict control over important decisions.
ExampleFrederick the Great of Prussia and Joseph II of Austria are two famous examples of enlightened despots.
