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 of Austria (1765–1790, sole ruler from 1780)
- Joseph was the most radical of the enlightened despots. He abolished serfdom, granted wide religious toleration, reduced the power of the Catholic Church, and sought to modernize administration and the legal system.
- His reforms created huge resistance among nobles, clergy, and even peasants (who disliked sudden change). Many reforms were reversed after his death.
Hint
- Frederick: Selective use of Enlightenment. Reforms that supported the state, but no challenge to social hierarchy.
- Joseph: Sweeping reforms based on Enlightenment ideals but too fast, too broad, and often unsuccessful in practice.
- Both show that enlightened despotism was limited by political realities: rulers would reform only as long as it did not threaten their authority.
Common Mistake
- Exaggerating how “enlightened” these rulers were; most reforms had limits and often protected monarchy first.
- Confusing intentions with results. Joseph intended wide reform, but most of his policies failed in practice.
Exam technique
- Always distinguish between policy and impact. For example: Joseph abolished serfdom (policy), but peasants resisted and reform was rolled back (impact).
- Use the phrase “extent of change” directly in essays, showing examiners you’re addressing the command term. Example: “The extent of change under Frederick was limited, as serfdom remained intact.”
Self review
- Compare the policies and their impact under two enlightened despots.
- To what extent did enlightened despotism represent real change in 18th-century Europe?
- Examine the successes and failures of enlightened despotism with reference to two rulers.
