Paragraaf 3.3: Enlightened rulers

Summary paragraph 3.3: Enlightened rulers

 Monarchy is governed by a single ruler

Absolutists believed they had right to rule entirely alone (they didn’t want any type of parliament)

Maria Theresa and Joseph II wanted to make reforms to make ordinary people’s lives better

Their reforms were: Freedom of speech, education and religious tolerance

Enlightened absolutists didn’t want to share power

Joseph II

Holy roman emperor: 1765

Inherited the Habsburg lands

Habsburg lands united with centralised administration

Reforms in a hurry

Took power from church

Maria Theresa

Habsburg lands united with centralised administration

Reforms gradually

Took power from church

State started to provide health care, instead of the church

The education was to make people read and write in German

When Maria Theresa dies, Joseph introduced more radical reforms

People thought it weird, and found it hard to accept

He abolished serfdom

He forced Hungarians to speak German and use the same government and laws

Hungarians revolted (in 1789)

Joseph dies in 1790, on his tomb was written: here lies Joseph II, who failed at everything he did.