The Age of Enlightenment was a huge change for the people of Europe. It occurred between the late 1600s and 1700s, and changed the way people thought. Monarchs were encouraged to lead with progressive intentions and to enforce the basic human rights of all of their people. to become more equal with their people. These monarchs were called Enlightened Despots. According to the textbook, Enlightened Despots were rulers that sought to govern by Enlightened principles while maintaining the power they had. Absolute monarchs did not talk of Enlightened principles, but ruled on the grounds of divine right and hereditary title more openly than Enlightened Despots. Absolute monarchs were different because they did not follow these principles. Some examples of Enlightened Despots are Catherine the Great of Russia, Frederick II of Prussia, and Joseph II of Austria. These rulers acted in more despotic ways than enlightened when they showed that they were virtually uncommitted to three of the main principles of the Enlightenment: minding the welfare of the public, tolerating religion, and inspiring social …show more content…
He abolished serfdom and set up equal land taxes for peasants and nobles and elected middle class men as government officials so that he could understand his people more. Joseph completely exemplified religious toleration and proclaimed religious toleration for all Christians and Jews, though Muslims and others one could be unsure about. He tried to reform the way despots ruled and could have linked enlightened despotism and democracy, but he was despised by his people. In a letter he wrote to his brother Napoleon,”I am the only one holding to the true course… and I am left to labor alone… I am without any assistance whatsoever.” Joseph tried but his people hated him because he tried so hard and moved so fast. This shows how Enlightened Despots were never supposed to actually follow the