Effects of the Enlightenment on the

World

“Enlightened Monarchs”• Most of Europe ruled by

absolute monarchs• Receptive to Enlightenment

ideas• Instituted new laws and

practices Enlightened Monarchs

• Frederick II, Prussia• Catherine the Great, Russia• Maria Theresa, Austria• Joseph II, Holy Roman Empire• Gustav III, Sweden• Napoleon I, France

The American Revolution

• Influence of Locke,

Montesquieu• The Declaration

of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

The U.S. Constitution

• Separation of powers

• Checks and balances

Painting depicting the Constitutional Convention

The French Revolution

• The American Revolution• The Estates

General

The Marquis de Lafayette

The Declaration of theRights of Man

• Adopted by National Assembly in 1789

• “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”

The Legacy of the Enlightenment• Government• Society• Education

The signing of the U.S. Constitution

Frederick the Great (ruled 1740–1786)

• Prussian ruler• Had a strong

interest in Enlightenment works

• Induced Voltaire to come to Prussia

Frederick the Great (continued)

• Wanted to make Prussia a modern state

• Reforms

Painting titled “Frederick the Great and Voltaire.”

Catherine the Great(ruled 1762–1796)

• Russian ruler• Well-versed in

Enlightenment works• “Westernizing” Russia

Catherine the Great(continued)

• Domestic reforms• Peasant

revolt

Maria Theresa (ruled 1740–1780)

• Austrian ruler• Government

reforms• The serfs• Son—Joseph II

Joseph II (ruled 1765–1790)• Ruled as coregent

with his mother until 1780

• Joseph’s reforms• Religious

toleration• Control over the

Catholic Church• Abolition of

serfdom

Gustav III (ruled 1771–1792)• Swedish ruler• Read French

Enlightenment works• Reforms• Absolutism

Napoleon I

• French ruler• Military career• Rise to power

Napoleon I (continued)

•Reforms• Education• Law