Questions on Enlightened Despotism/Eastern Europe

1. Why did absolute monarchy develop more completely in the German states east of the Elbe River?

2. Why was there no effective middle class in this area?

3. Rank the following families from most autocratic (powerful) to least autocratic (powerful): Hohenzollerns/Prussia, Romanovs/Russia, Habsburgs/Austrian Empire

4. Who was Frederick William, the Great Elector? What were his major accomplishments?

5. What was the relationship between the Prussian nobility (Junkers) and the king?

6. Who was Frederick I? How did he become King of Prussia?

7. Why was Prussia called “an army with a country” during the reign of Frederick William I?

8. Describe Frederick II (aka the Great). What were his major accomplishments?

9. Name the three territories that belonged to the Austrian Empire. How did Austria acquire all of these territories? (HINT: See description under map on p. 345.)

10. Name the nationalities that lived in the Austrian Empire. Why was this situation a problem?

11. Who was Maria Theresa? What were her major accomplishments?

12. Why did the rest of Europe consider Russia to be unimportant early on?

13. Why did the Russians mistrust the ideas and people of Western Europe?

14. Did the Renaissance and Reformation have an impact on Russia? Why or why not?

15. Who was Ivan IV? What were his accomplishments? Why were the boyars (Russian nobles) so afraid of him?

16. How was Peter the Great of the Romanov dynasty an outstanding example of Russian royal absolutism?

17. How did Peter the Great attempt to westernize Russia?