Eighteenth-century enlightened rulers were not always "enlightened," but they were also hindered in instituting necessary reforms because of the power still held by the hereditary aristocracy.

Question

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While enlightened rulers like Catherine the Great of Russia and Joseph II of Austria pushed for reforms and modernization, they were still limited by the power held by the aristocracy. This hindered their ability to fully implement necessary changes.

Eighteenth-Century Enlightened Rulers Were Not Always "Enlightened," but They Were