Similarities Between Catherine The Great And Joseph II

Attempts to Enlighten
The ideas taught and preached by enlightenment philosophes spread rapidly around world, and were accepted widely by subjects and rulers alike. The reign of despots Catherine the Great and Joseph II both bore significant attempts at enlightenment for their subjects. However, their respective attempts to further these enlightened ideas in the hopes of benefitting their subjects were arguably faint and feeble. The rule of Catherine the Great, and her steps forward in education and justice, along with Joseph II’s abolishment of serfdom, were no doubt Enlightened. However, failure to carry out these acts along with other unenlightened actions greatly overshadow their attempts to improve their societies. Catherine the Great of Russia, one of the rare female
The abolition of serfdom follows Voltaire’s teaching of tolerance for all, as he gave rights to a historically persecuted group of individuals. In addition to tolerance, this abolition also supports Locke’s teaching of equality, as he believed all people are born equal. By freeing this unjustly oppressed group, Joseph grants them a degree of equality to the rest of his subjects, and grants them experiences previously unattainable, which according to Locke will lead to their enlightenment and education. The abolition of serfdom is a highly radical action during this time, as historically these Serfs had always been oppressed. While this action was highly enlightened and ideal, and would have arguably enlightened many of Joseph’s subjects, it was ineffective. The backlash from nobility and other subjects alike was immense, and the status of these Serfs were in the end not improved, as they continued to be oppressed by nobility despite Joseph's actions. The failure to effectively abolish serfdom leaves Joseph’s reign lacking any sort of advancement of enlightened