1) The most famous salon was hosted by Madam Geoffrin in Paris, where women gathered intellectuals and artists to discuss ideas from the Enlightenment. 2) Two enlightened despots, Frederick II of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia, reformed laws and granted new rights to citizens while expanding their empires. 3) Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, tried to modernize the Austrian empire by granting new freedoms to religious minorities and peasants, though many reforms were reversed after his death.

1. Terms Salon – A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction Enlightened Despot - A with absolute rulers who use their power to help bring political and social change Novel – long works of prose fiction

2. Salons The Most famous salon was that of Madam Geoffrin. Women ran salons She was a contributor to Diderots encyclopedia Demand the highest of conversation at their salons Had two meetings a week one on Monday for artists and the other Wednesday for the Thinkers

3. Enlightened Despots Fredrick II of Prussia Saw himself as the “first servant of the state” Tolerated religious differences and welcomed those persecuted by religion Reformed law and civil service Had made strides to help peasants Drained swamps for farm land Distributed seed and tools for farming

4. Enlightened Despots Catherine the Great Spoke out against serfdom Granted Rights to Nobles Greatest contribution was she expanded the Russian empire

5. Enlightened Despots Joseph II Holy Roman Emperor Called the Peasant Emperor Gave positions to talented middle class people rather than nobles Granted religious toleration to Jews, Protestants Ended Censorship Tried to run the church and sold church lands he saw as unproductive Built hospitals from land sales Abolished serfdom Reforms were undone after his death

6. Art and Literature Baroque – used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce emotion and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, and music. In Music, different voices and instruments echo each other but at different pitches

7. Art and Literature Rococo – a continuation of Baroque, it was characterized by a wealth, grace, playfulness, and lightness

8. Lives of the People Peasants lives were varied all across Europe West serfdom had almost entirely disappeared, most had there own patches of land or were tenants of a large landowner East serfdom was still in existence (Russia) Though life was better in the west peasants in some areas had to provide free labor This movement did spark interest of overthrowing the old order in many peasant villages Life remained the same in many respects despite the advances and changes of the Enlightenment