Absolutism In Prussia, Austria, And Russia

Frederick II, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II all based their ideals upon or representative of ones own opinions, founded upon their enlightened wisdom or righteous way of thinking.

All three rulers based many of their attempted reforms on the ideals of the philosophes who sought reason as their main lawmaker. However, in the case of serfdom, there was only one ruler that was able to abolish it and that was Joseph II. He did meet great opposition, especially when the nobles and the church became alienated by this new establishment.

(via Lauren)