Frederick The Great Of Prussia example essay topic

During the eighteenth century there was a great movement of intellect, ideas and reason. Some of these thoughts and beliefs were that men were born with unbreakable rights such as life, liberty, and right to own property. They also included the belief that people should have the right to govern themselves and that they should be able to get rid of a ruler that did not satisfy the people he was representing. These ideas were shared and rejected by many including rulers of countries. In Russia, Prussia, and Austria there were three rulers that both encouraged and rejected such ideas. Catherine the Great of Russia and Fredrick the Great of Prussia promoted these ideas unlike Maria Theresa of Austria who dejected them.

Frederick the Great of Prussia wanted to use the power and wisdom that he had to improve all of the lives of his people for he had a respect for humanity. Frederick the Great supported the enlightenment ideals while remaining an all-powerful leader, or despot. He believed that he was a first servant of state of that he was meant to serve his people and not the other way around. Frederick made many important changes during his rule in Prussia, which was during 1740 to 1786. His interest in many recent scientific advancements resulted in the use of new crops, which included potatoes and clover. Frederick also encouraged the use of new methods for planting and equipment, such as crop rotation and iron plows.

Fredrick also promoted education and abolished most torture except in extreme cases such as treason and murder. Frederick was not the only European monarch to adopt the ideals of the enlightenment, Catherine the Great of Russia was also an enlightened despot of the late 1700's Catherine the great of Prussia promoted ideas and beliefs that encouraged freedom of speech and right to happiness. Pious and faithful but unfriendly toward the Enlightenment, Maria-Theresa has often been dismissed as a traditional dynast even though she did promoted a reformed legal system, encouraged education, increased industry growth, and lowered taxes. Her actions derived from a conviction that she held a trust from God and from a materialistic conception of her responsibilities. She was, however, intensely pragmatic, conscious of the obligations of power, and a shrewd judge of her ministers. Even though these ideas weren't encouraged in all countries they spread and became known throughout the world.

Even on the other side of the earth in the new country that called itself the united stats of America used this way of thinking to base their country on. During this time there were three rulers, Catherine the Great of Russia and Fredrick the Great of Prussia promoted these ideas unlike Maria Theresa of Prussia who dejected them.