Enlightened Despots: Reforms Of Frederick And Catherine II Of Russia

During the Enlightenment, everyone’s views were changing; well everyone, that is, who was not in power. Many monarchs and clergy members who had power were fighting this revolutionary movement so that they could maintain their power. Then, in the enemy countries of Russia and Prussia, came along two monarchs whose views and reforms almost changed everything. These rulers were Frederick II of Prussia and Catherine II of Russia and are now coined with the term “Enlightened Despots.” (Ellis, Esler 191). These monarchs managed to play both sides of the Enlightenment: reform and absolutism. Frederick and Catherine successfully maintained and even gained power while implementing new reforms based on new Enlightenment ideas. In Berlin, Prussia …show more content…
He agreed with many ideals of the Enlightenment. He took great initiative to help the Enlightenment movement by inviting many French Enlightenment thinkers to his kingdom. Some of the reforms Frederick made due to the Enlightenment ideals involve: a free press, anti-torture, and religious toleration. His most famous phrase that relates to his religious toleration policy was: “In my kingdom, everyone can go to heaven in his own fashion.”(Ellis, Esler 192). Frederick was even able to pursue his art and musical ambitions when he was not in war. In fact, C. P. E. Bach, the son of famous composer Johann S. Bach, played in the courts of Frederick the Great for many years (“Frederick II”). Despite all these reforms, Frederick still wanted to maintain his absolute power and even attempted to gain more power (Ellis, Esler …show more content…
She corresponded with many enlightenment thinkers including Voltaire (Ellis, Esler 192). Voltaire was a great author and thinker who stood firm against tyrannical monarchs and rulers (Pomeau). Catherine also took firm stands but she was slightly unpredictable as to where she was going to take a firm stand. On one instance, she arrested an author who was criticizing the practice of serfdom even though Catherine also was known for criticizing serfdom! (Brown 16). Catherine II became Catherine the Great because of her strong war leadership as well as patronizing arts and sciences. Not only was she a patron of the arts, she was a participant in them as well. She was a rather proficient writer and she wrote many stories suing the knowledge she gained from her correspondence with the French intellects (Ellis, Esler