Germany Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Germany - Essay Example These men, despite their desire for positive reform, were met with much opposition throughout their causes and careers. Frederick the Great ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He has been remembered for many things, but some of those that stand out include his contributions as a brilliant tactician and military organizer, controlled grain prices so that the government stores good provide for poor families whose crops were unsuccessful, and beginning the first official school of veterinary medicine in Austria or Germany. He was, also, an accomplished linguist, speaking several languages, and talented musician. Most importantly, he is remembered for changing Prussia from an often forgotten European â€Å"backwater† location and into a thriving, economically strong and reformed region. However, again, much of the changes he attempted to implement were met with opposition; Enlightened Absolutism was not a favored position of all of the peoples of Europe at the time. (Wikipedia) Joseph the II of Austria ruled from 1765-1790. He had a very famous family member that should not be left unmentioned; he was brother to France’s Marie Antoinette. He was a well liked and influential leader, however he, like Frederick the Great, faced a great deal of opposition due to his attempt to reform Austria with the philosophy of Enlightened Absolutism. Some of the very important acts he is known for include, making public education more available for boys and girls, inspiring legal reforms throughout Austria, and attempted to reform the Catholic Church to make it more tolerant, more akin to his enlightened perspectives. He, like others who shared his political and social views, had a great deal of respect and support for the arts. In fact, such a well loved patron of the arts that, his funeral cantata was composed by Beethoven himself. (Wikipedia) Both men strived to make changes to their lands under the ideologies of