Enlightened despots did not allow their subjects to participate in political life. For this reason they are identified with the phrase 'everything for the people, but without the people'.
Enlightened despots had the following characteristics:
Examples of enlightened despots include Catherine the Great of Russia, Joseph II of Austria, Frederick II of Prussia and Carlos III of Spain (1759–1788). These monarchs implemented a number of enlightened reforms, such as the unification of the legal system, the modernisation of the army, and the promotion of agriculture, industry and education.
Enlightened despotism ultimately failed as a form of government because it maintained the privileges of the estates system, and did not introduce reforms to make all people free and equal before the law.
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ENLIGHTENED DESPOTS  |
Activity 25
Remember
Activity 26
Create
Activity 27
Evaluate
Activity 28
Imagine you are an Enlightenment thinker. Write a newspaper article about the enlightened despot you profiled in activity 26. Include the opinion of him/her that you arrived at in activity 27.
