Scientific Revolution (Political/Diplomatic)

Posted by Celena at Tuesday, November 06, 2012 | 0 comments

The major political conflicts were over issues like succession, serfdom, and breaking of diplomatic agreements. Rulers in this era often tried to follow "enlightened absolutism" when reforming their governments. The major players in political disputes were Prussia, Austria, and Russia. Frederick William I, at the onset, broke the Pragmatic Sanction which guaranteed Maria Theresa to take the throne, by invading Silesia. Prussian population increased along with its power, as Theresa yielded Silesian lands. Theresa joined forces with rulers of France and Russia to go against Prussia and divide up its lands-- this ended up being the Seven Years' War. As a result of the war, Frederick of Prussia reformed his bureaucracy. The nobility in Prussia enjoyed more privileges as they were major contributors to the army and state.

Catherine the Great was a ruler who especially tried to govern in an enlightened way. She emphasized domestic culture but more importantly reforms with her new law code with wishes to strengthen education and the government. Catherine stopped trying to reform the system when Pugachev tried to overthrow her unsuccessfully.

Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great: "For to tempt and to be tempted are things very nearly allied... whenever feeling has anything to do in the matter, no sooner is it excited than we have already gone vastly farther than we are aware of. "

Frederick II

 Federick II: "If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army."

1740 - 1780(40 years)

Reign of Maria Theresa

Emelian Pugachev