Search results
enlightened despotism, form of government in the 18th century in which absolute monarchs pursued legal, social, and educational reforms inspired by the Enlightenment. Among the most prominent enlightened despots were Frederick II (the Great), Peter I (the Great), Catherine II (the Great), Maria Theresa, Joseph II, and Leopold II.
Enlightened absolutism, also called enlightened despotism, refers to the conduct and policies of European absolute monarchs during the 18th and early 19th centuries who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, espousing them to enhance their power. [1]
Learning Objective. Define enlightened despotism and provide examples. Key Points. Enlightened despots held that royal power emanated not from divine right but from a social contract whereby a despot was entrusted with the power to govern in lieu of any other governments.
Definition. An Enlightened Despot is a monarch who embraces the principles of the Enlightenment by implementing reforms aimed at improving society, while still maintaining absolute power.
Enlightened despotism refers to a form of absolute monarchy in which a ruler adopts Enlightenment principles to strengthen their power while implementing reforms aimed at improving the lives of their subjects.
THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM. In the end, enlightened despotism can be seen as the final stage of absolute monarchy, in which personal monarchical power indeed became stronger, but which also gave rise to a new conception of governmental power as rule by and under public law.
Enlightened Despotism refers to a form of absolute monarchy in which rulers were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, promoting reforms that aimed to improve society while maintaining their own power.
