Enlightened despotism is when there is an absolute ruler‚ in some cases a tyrant‚ who follows the principles of the Enlightenment through reforms. Permitting religious toleration‚ allowing freedom of the press and speech‚ and expanding education are a few main guidelines to being and enlightened despot. Napoleon I is often referred to as one of the greatest enlightened despots. Although‚ he did not follow the ideas of the enlightenment entirely‚ he managed his country in a way that he maintained
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Enlightened despots believed that political change could best come from above‚ from the ruler. However‚ they were encouraged by the philosophers to make good laws to promote human happiness. How did these monarchs differ from earlier unenlightened monarchs of the past? The difference lay in tempo. These new despots acted abruptly and desired quicker results. They were impatient with all that stood in the way of their reforms. In addition‚ they justified their authority on the grounds of usefulness
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AP “Napoleon I is sometimes called the greatest enlightened despot. Evaluate this assessment in terms of Napoleon I’s policies and accomplishments. Be sure to include a definition of enlightened despotism in your answer.”(1981 - #4) “Napoleon was a child of the Enlightenment.” Assess the validity of the statement. Use examples referring to specific aspects of the enlightenment and to Napoleon’s policies and attitudes (1992#5) I. Intro Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte)‚ sometimes considered
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an enlightened despot‚ or a ruler that makes good laws and promotes human happiness with them. It has been said about the great conqueror and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte that he is the last of the enlightened despots‚ but others say he is the first of the modern dictators. There is substantial evidence to argue both sides in this dispute‚ but it is more true to say that Napoleon was the transition between the two. Louis Bergeron‚ historian‚ argues that Napoleon was the last of the enlightened despots
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of history’s greatest rulers such as Peter the Great‚ Catherine the Great‚ Frederick the Great‚ and Joseph II have been considered to be enlightened despot. One of these was also Napoleon Bonaparte. They ways by which Napoleon has been considered to be a despot are through his economic policies‚ religious and educational policies‚ and the Code Napoleon. The term "enlightened despot" has been used to describe many great rulers‚ but it might be misinterpreted. The word "enlightened" means to be influenced
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Napoleon has been described as the last of the “enlightened despots‚” or as a “child of the enlightenment.” These statements can be considered accurate because Napoleon Bonaparte reconstructed France during the French Revolution. Even though he became a military dictator‚ before that he was able to equalize rights‚ create a new banking system‚ and build up the government‚ education system‚ and churches. After Napoleon seized power in 1799‚ he started to win over the French citizens and became
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Enlightened despotism originated during the European Enlightenment‚ basically meaning that a ruler should rule with the characteristics of the Enlightenment. The most dominant of these characteristics was humanism‚ a trait evident in rulers such as Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. These rulers‚ along with Napoleon Bonaparte‚ all worked toward the betterment of society‚ at times using their absolute rule to enforce this system of improvement. Napoleon is the classic example of such a ruler
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Catherine the Great: Enlightened Despot Catherine the Great of Russia was influenced largely by the French Enlightenment and considered herself an enlightened despot; she read the works of Montesquieu and Voltaire and accumulated a considerable amount of knowledge of the theory of government and politics (de Madariaga). Since her reign in Russia‚ it has been debated whether or not her implementation of Enlightenment ideals was for the greater good of her country‚ or for her to protect her place
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Catherine II or Russia‚ reffered to as Catherine the Great‚ exemplifies the enlightened despot of her time. She reined over Russia from 1762 until her death in 1769. During her thirty four year reign she helped Russia to reach its fullest potential. One major improvemtn for Russia was it’s agricultural growth. When Catherine II took the throne Russia was a primarily agricultural country‚ the well educated Empress began by hiring experts to study soil and research new technologly to improve farming
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If it wasn’t for the great despots of the 18th century‚ The Enlightenment would have never happened. The despots included such great thinkers as Fredrick the II‚ Peter the Great‚ Katherine the II‚ and Maria Therea. These great minds inspired others to think in a different way. People began to question religion‚ governments‚ and economic fairness. Without them we would not have had the scientific method that has lead to many of the inventions that we have today. They not only had a huge impact on
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