HISTORY
ABSOLUTISM AND REVOLUTION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Catherine the Great
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Frederick the Great
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Joseph II
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Louis XVI
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Detailed explanation-1: -Catherine confided in the Prince de Ligne that she was grateful to Voltaire for making her ‘’fashionable” in Europe. As her public relations agent in the heart of Europe, he sang her praises and advertised her views and victories in all of the important salons.
Detailed explanation-2: -Voltaire argued that in order for a despotic government to be reasonable it had to be enlightened; and if it were enlightened, then it could be both efficient and benevolent. This was a philosophy that inspired Catherine and did not strictly challenge Russian autocracy.
Detailed explanation-3: -Catherine’s entire reign was in some ways dedicated to integrating Russia culturally and economically in Europe. Her famed engagement with the philosophes, especially Voltaire and Diderot, has made her Russia’s Enlightener-in-Chief.
Detailed explanation-4: -She enthusiastically supported the ideals of the Enlightenment, thus earning the status of an enlightened despot. As such, she believed that strengthening her authority had to occur by improving the lives of her subjects.