Enlightened Monarchs and the Enlightenment

What did the Enlightenment philosophers criticize in the practices of rulers and aristocratic leaders?

• Torture, censorship, and their arrogance and capriciousness

• The lack of education among the ruling class

• The excessive power of the Church

• The influence of foreign powers

According to Montesquieu, what were the three basic types of government?

• Democracies, monarchies, and despotic states

• Republics, oligarchies, and theocracies

• Communist states, socialist states, and capitalist states

• Colonial empires, feudal states, and city-states

Which type of government did many Enlightenment thinkers prefer based on the example of Britain?

• Law-based monarchy with separate institutions

• Absolute monarchy with a strong ruler

• Direct democracy with no monarch

• Anarchy with no government

What did Frederick the Great of Prussia do to increase the power of the aristocracy?

• Increased their control over the serfs

• Abolished the aristocracy altogether

• Implemented policies to benefit the commoners

• Encouraged social mobility

What did Catherine the Great of Russia do to consolidate state power?

• Created standardized codes of laws and regulations

• Implemented policies to benefit the serfs

• Enforced religious tolerance

• Abolished the nobility

What was one of the main reasons for the Enlightenment monarchs to implement reforms?

• To strengthen their armies

• To promote religious freedom

• To improve the lives of the poor

• To increase their own power

What did Joseph II of Austria do to diminish the grip of the aristocracy?

• Encouraged agricultural experimentation and freed serfs from personal service

• Increased the power of the aristocracy

• Implemented policies to benefit the clergy

• Abolished the monarchy

What did the Bourbon reforms in Spain aim to achieve?

• Streamline government and enhance revenue

• Promote religious tolerance

• Abolish the aristocracy

• Grant independence to the colonies

What was one of the main challenges faced by Enlightenment reforms?

• Resistance from the aristocracy and vested interests

• Lack of support from the general population

• Lack of funding for implementation

• Opposition from foreign powers

What was one of the main reasons for the rising poverty in the 18th century?

• Growing European know-how and productivity

• Decrease in agricultural output

• Lack of government support for the poor

• Increasing taxes on the wealthy