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Frederick the Great 1740-1786

The evolution of political elites and the development of political parties, ideologies, and other forms of mass politics Enlightened despot, Frederick II of Prussia was born on January 24, 1712 in Berlin and was King of Prussia from 1740 to1786. He was an advocate of enlightened absolutism along with Catherine II of Russia and Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II. His notable changes made in Prussia reflected the philosophical movement, The Enlightenment. He introduced new forms of politics by modernizing the Prussian bureaucracy, promoting religious tolerance, and patronizing the arts and philosophy.

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The Tennis Court Oath 1789 The evolution of political elites and the development of political parties, ideologies, and other forms of mass politics  The Tennis Court Oath was a form of mass politics and was the result of the growing discontent of the French Third Estate of King Louis XVI’s absolute government. It was a pledge signed on June 20, 1789 in a tennis court near the Palace of Versailles and discussed the reforms proposed by the Prime Minister who called for a vote called by head instead of by the estate. It was signed by 576 members of the Third Estate as well as members of the First Estate in a meeting of the Estates-General. The pledge was a revolutionary act that stated that political authority was derived from the representatives of the masses instead of a monarch. The Tennis Court Oath signified the first act of opposition against Louis XVI and ultimately established that the National Assembly was the supreme state power. It also gave the Third Estate a stronger voice in the Estates General and showed history the ability of the Third Estate to protect themselves from the undermining authority. The Tennis Court Oath united its members to a common goal and became the first declaration of revolutionary authority by the Third Estate. McKay, John P. __History of Western society__. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.