Enlightened Despots

Influenced by Voltaire

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Tried to establish a system of elementary education for all Prussian children.

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

Abolished Torture

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Supported most forms of religious tolerance.

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

Reduced censorship

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Did not extend religious tolerance to Jews and tried to limit the number of Jews that could live in Prussia.

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Serfdom: opposed it, but he did not abolish it because he needed the support of the aristocracy. 

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Reforms were movitated by a desire to build Prussia’s strength and make his own rule more powerful.

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

• Dreamed of establishing order and justice in Russia while supporting education and culture. 

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II

Corresponded with both Voltaire and Diderot.

• Frederick II

• Catherine the Great

• Joseph II