Western Civilization II / Unit 6 WC2 0520 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Enlightened Despotism: Efficiency Without Surrendering Power
Captions available
The idea
Monarchs attracted to the new ideas read them as efficiency: rationalized bureaucracies, codified law, education, religious toleration where it cost nothing. None renounced power; some eased serfdom on royal lands. The anchor's phrase for the pattern is enlightened despotism.
In practice
Frederick, Catherine and Joseph, the exam's three.
Where people slip
Enlightened describes the means; despot describes the end.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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