Question

According to Frederick, what is his role as a monarch? What reforms did he enact?

Answer 1

The monarch is the first servant of the state. He enacted reforms following his idea of enlightened absolutism.

Step-by-step explanation:

King Frederick II (1712-1786), known as Frederick the Great, ruled Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786. During his reign, he transformed Prussia from a backwards European state to a powerful country with a strong state and a large economy. Frederick the Great was deeply influenced by the ideas of the Enlightment, the 18th century intellectual movement that focused on reason above everything else. He was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, the idea that an absolute monarch should rule not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of his people. Accordingly, he considered himself "the first servant of the state", and sought to reform the Prussian state according to his ideas of enlightened absolutism rule: He reformed the Prussian bureaucracy, was a supporter of free trade, allowed freedom of speech, supported the arts and education, and encouraged religious tolerance.

Answer 2

An absolute monarchy in which the ruler follows the principles of the enlightenment by introducing reforms for the improvement of society, allowing freedom of speech and the press, permitting religious toleration, expanding education, and ruling in accordance with the laws. This is best shown in Joseph, ruler of Austria, but Catherine the Great of Russia and Frederick the Great of Prussia are also known as enlightened rulers.