Examples Of Enlightened Despotism

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Enlightened despotism, which arose in Europe during the early 1700’s, was an important new concept that enforced rationalism and religious toleration. Enlightened despotism is “an acceleration of the old centralizing institution of monarchy” as the state emphasized efficiency and “usefulness to society” (A History of Europe in the Modern World, 325). Successful enlightened despots such as Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great were glorified as reformist for embracing new ways to assert power and order. Propaganda played an important role in communication between the despots and their subjects. A prime example of this is the image of Joseph II plowing a field and doing peasant work. Joseph II promoted himself as an enlightened despot by presenting himself as a humble servant while also using his authority to integrate the ideal of the …show more content…
Joseph II, as shown in the image, is dressed in prestigious attire while working in the field. In a letter to the Vice Chancellor, he states that “the welfare of my subjects is my my passion; that to satisfy it, I shun neither labor, nor trouble” (1). After he abolished serfdom, Joseph II enforced equality among all social classes through this form of propaganda. Joseph II optimistically said “I give you the necessary orders to introduce a new system of taxation” in one of his letters, implementing new rules to benefit the peasants to show that he values all people in order for them to know their self-worth (1). He also made efforts to impose a secular empire that tolerated different religions as he “removed the yoke that had oppressed the Protestants for centuries”, leaving the clergy and nobles furious at Joseph II’s new reforms (3). In his efforts to strengthen the Holy Roman Empire and use propaganda to advertise himself, Joseph II was unsuccessful in appealing to a large part of the Austrian
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