Power Pivot Graphic Organizer Crown and Reason
A Comparative Study of Absolutism and Enlightened Rule
Name:
Date:
Traditional Absolutism
Primary Goals & Philosophies:
Source of Sovereignty (Divine Right):
Iconic Rulers & Key Policies:
Enlightened Absolutism
Primary Goals & Philosophe Influence:
Source of Sovereignty (Social Contract):
Iconic Rulers & Key Reforms:
Social Impact Matrix
Analysis of Domestic Policy Changes
Governance Category 17th Century Absolutist Approach 18th Century Enlightened Approach Religious Policy Justice & The Law Rights of Subjects
Synthesis: The Evolution of Power
Synthesize your findings to identify what changed and what remained constant.
Unique to
Continuities &
Unique to
Critical Reflection
To what extent was "Enlightened Absolutism" actually enlightened? Consider whether reforms were made for the benefit of the people or to strengthen the state's central power.
Power Pivot Answer Key Crown and Reason
[ TEACHER ANSWER KEY ]
Review Guide Reference
Traditional
Goals & Philosophies:
Total centralization of power in the hands of the monarch; "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state). Focus on grandeur, dynastic glory, and suppressing nobility.
Source of Sovereignty:
Divine Right of Kings: Power is derived directly from God; the monarch is God's representative on Earth and answerable only to Him.
Iconic Rulers & Policies:
Louis XIV (France): Built Versailles to control nobles; revoked Edict of Nantes (religious uniformity).Peter the Great (Russia): Westernization; Table of Ranks; St. Petersburg.
Enlightened
Goals & Philosophe Influence:
Use of reason and rationalism to modernize the state. Goal: Improving the lives of subjects to strengthen the nation. Influence: Voltaire, Diderot, Beccaria.
Source of Sovereignty:
First Servant of the State: The monarch is the chief administrator; power is a social contract meant to serve the collective welfare.
Iconic Rulers & Reforms:
Frederick II (Prussia): "Old Fritz"; religious tolerance; legal reform.Joseph II (Austria): Abolished serfdom; granted freedom of press.Catherine the Great (Russia): Nakaz (Instruction); educational expansion.
Social Impact Matrix
Category Traditional Enlightened Religious Policy Uniformity required ("One King, One Law, One Faith"). Persecution of dissenters (e.g., Huguenots). Promotion of religious tolerance (e.g., Frederick II allowing all faiths to strengthen the state). Justice & Law Arbitrary use of power; torture common; "Letters de Cachet" (arrest without trial). Codification of laws; limitation/abolition of torture; focus on due process (Beccaria's influence). Peasantry Heavy taxation; little concern for welfare; serfdom expanded in Eastern Europe. Abolition or reduction of serfdom (especially Joseph II); education for lower classes.
Synthesis Answer Key
Unique to Traditional
Divine Right justification.
Emphasis on dynastic prestige over state efficiency.
Compulsory religious uniformity.
Unrestricted autocratic whim.
Continuities / Shared
Monarch holds absolute power (no shared sovereignty).
Goal of centralized bureaucracy.
Expansionist foreign policy and strong militaries.
Subjugation of the nobility.
Unique to Enlightened
Social Contract justification.
Religious tolerance as state policy.
Rationalization of laws/administration.
Sponsorship of arts and sciences.
Teacher Reflection Note
Students should argue that "Enlightened" was often a surface-level tool for efficiency. While lives improved slightly, the ultimate goal was always to make the state more powerful for war and collection of taxes. Many rulers (like Catherine the Great) even strengthened serfdom after noble pressure, showing the limits of Enlightenment ideals.
Crown and Reason Slides Crown & Reason
The Evolution of Absolute Power
Comparing Absolutism & Enlightened Despotism
The Age of Absolutism
The Divine Right
Monarchs received their power directly from God. To challenge the King was to challenge the Creator.
Centralization
The state and the person of the monarch were one. Nobility was tamed; local laws were suppressed.
The Prototype: Louis XIV
Dominated the nobility at Versailles
Enforced religious uniformity (Catholicism)
Constant warfare for personal glory
Enlightened Absolutism
The Social Contract
"The sovereign is not the absolute master of the people, but only the first servant of the state."
Power was justified by reason and utility , not by birthright alone.
Legal Reform
Abolishing torture and codifying laws.
Education & Tolerance
Promoting literacy and religious freedom.
Social Welfare
Attacking serfdom and helping the poor.
The "Enlightened" Despots
Frederick II
Prussia
• Allowed religious freedom to keep state stable.
• Simplified laws to make state efficient.
• Maintained huge army; never gave up absolute power.
Most Radical
Joseph II
Austria
• Abolished serfdom entirely.
• Eliminated the death penalty.
• Alienated the church and nobles; reforms were later undone.
Catherine II
Russia
• Wrote to philosophes (Voltaire/Diderot).
• Attempted legal code reform.
• CRUCIAL: Strengthened serfdom after noble rebellions.
Reform or Facade?
To what extent were these rulers truly "Enlightened"? Did they care about humanity, or were they just using the Enlightenment to make their states more efficient for tax collection and war?
REFORM
CENTRALIZATION
