The Age of Enlightenment and the Rise of Prussia

Historical Background: The Rise of Prussia

The Prussian state became the most powerful Germanic state after Austria. During Kant's life, it was ruled by various kings, most notably Frederick II "the Great," the "philosopher king." Many kings held absolute power but developed an enlightened policy and tried to govern according to reason.

Frederick II was a model of the enlightened despot: "everything for the people but without the people." Other representatives of that despotism were Catherine of Russia, Emperor Joseph II of Austria, and Carlos III in Spain. While France and Great Britain exercised dominance in Europe, two new powers emerged: Prussia and Russia.

The United States declared their independence and proclaimed their own constitution. The English parliamentary system, the American Constitution, and the French Revolution (with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen) served as the starting point for the modern organization of society in liberal democratic systems that would eliminate the "Old Regime."

Socio-Cultural Framework of the Ancien Regime

The social structure during the crisis of the Ancien Regime was a stratified society consisting of the nobility, clergy, and the third estate. The aristocracy (nobility and higher clergy) monopolized the high offices of the state. This was a hierarchical system with no equality before the law.

The nobility began to lose weight compared with the bourgeoisie. To avoid an attempt to close the passage of the bourgeoisie to senior state positions, increasing unrest culminated in the French Revolution, ensuring the triumph of the bourgeoisie.

Economic and Demographic Revolutions

The era saw a Demographic Revolution where Europe's population doubled. The Industrial Revolution followed the discovery of the steam engine, shifting a largely agrarian economy toward an agricultural revolution in some regions.

Cultural and Artistic Framework

In art, the Rococo (very heavy) and Baroque styles gave way to Classicism, an attempt at applying the Cartesian mind. Key figures included:

• Music: Maturation of the Baroque (Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel) and the Classical period (Mozart and Haydn). Beethoven began the transition to Romanticism.
• Literature: Goethe.
• Painting: Goya.

Philosophical Framework: The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment utilized reason and science in order to illuminate man. The philosophers' aim was to liberate the human spirit from the shadows of ignorance and guide it with and toward reason. Known as the "Century of Lights," this large movement of ideas was characterized by absolute confidence that reason can solve all human problems.