User:Atcovi/AP European History/Enlightened Absolutism

Notes not of my work

Enlightened Absolutes

 * Frederick the Great of Prussia:
 * -	Frederick the Great (or the II) used the War of Austrian Succession to expand Prussia into a great power by seizing Silesia.
 * -	The Seven Years War followed - which was an attempt by Maria Theresa to re-gain Silesia with the help of Russia and France.  Austria failed..
 * -	Frederick allowed for religious freedom and promoted education, legal reforms (simplified the law code, and abolished torture.
 * -	Same social structure- Kaiser at the top, then Junkers and finally the lowly serfs at the bottom.
 * -	Friends with Voltaire.
 * Catherine the Great of Russia:
 * -	Continued to bring Western Culture to Russia- supported the philosophes and brought Diderot’s Encyclopedia to Russia.
 * -	Began to reverse reforms in Serfdom, but the Pugachev Rebellion (serf rebellion) caused her to reverse her reforms. Serfdom actually increased!
 * -	Education reform for girls.
 * -	Began to reform the law code.
 * -	Expanded Russia by invading Poland. Prussia and Austria also carved up Poland. (Partitions of Poland)
 * The Austrian Habsburgs:
 * -	Maria Theresa introduced reforms which limited church power, revised the tax system, and reduced the power of the lords over the serfs.
 * -	Her son, Joseph II, continued her reforms and abolished serfdom, taxed all equally, and granted religious freedom.
 * -	Because of opposition his reforms were reversed and short-lived.