ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM essays

ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM essays Enlightened despots believed that political change could best come from above; from the ruler. However, they were encouraged by the philosophers to make good laws to promote human happiness. How did these monarchs differ from earlier unenlightened monarchs of the past? The difference lay in tempo. These new despots acted abruptly and desired quicker results. They were impatient with all that stood in the way of their reforms. In addition, they justified their authority on the grounds of usefulness, not divine right. These new monarchs were rational and reformist and they regarded political change as possible and desirable. Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II are good examples of Enlightened Despots. Frederick II (Frederick the Great), the most famous Prussian absolute monarch and a military genius, pursued an aggressive foreign policy. In 1740 he seized from Austria the province of Silesia. His action culminated in a major European conflict, the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), in which he was pitted against a powerful European coalition of Austria, Russia, and France. Frederick, aided only by England, barely managed to retain Silesia. In 1772 Frederick shared in the first partition of Poland by annexing western Poland. Frederick the Great was an almost perfect example of the enlightened despot. He was familiar with the ideas of the eighteenth-century reformers and a friend of Voltaire. Many of the philosophers, including Voltaire, felt progress could come faster if the government were directed by a reasonable, benevolent, enlightened despot, who would make his state's welfare his/her highest aim. Frederick the Great was just such a man. Frederick the Great was a dazzling military and administrative success. His passion for military victory and his concern for his subjects provide the (almost) perfect example of the Enlightened Despot. Catherine the Great was the German wife of Peter III. She corresponded acti...

Harry Pace and Black Swan Records

Harry Pace and Black Swan Records Overview In 1921, entrepreneur Harry Herbert Pace established Pace Phonograph Corporation and the record label, Black Swan Records. As the first African-American owned record company, Black Swan was known for its ability to produce â€Å"race records.† And the company proudly stamped its slogan on every album cover â€Å"The Only Genuine Colored RecordsOthers are Only Passing for Colored.† Recording the likes of Ethel Waters, James P. Johnson, as well as Gus and Bud Aikens.   Achievements Published the first African-American illustrated journal, The Moon Illustrated Weekly. Established the first African-American owned record company, Pace Phonograph Corporation and sold recordings as Black Swan Records. Fast Facts Born: January 6, 1884 in Covington, Ga. Parents: Charles and Nancy Francis Pace Spouse: Ethelyne Bibb Death: July 19, 1943 in Chicago Harry Pace and the Birth of Black Swan Records   After graduating from Atlanta University, Pace moved to Memphis where he worked a variety of jobs in banking and insurance. By 1903, Pace   launched a printing business with his mentor, W.E.B. Du Bois. Within two years, the duo collaborated to publish the magazine The Moon Illustrated Weekly. Although the publication was short-lived, it allowed Pace a taste of entrepreneurship.   In 1912, Pace met musician W.C. Handy. The pair began writing songs together, relocated to New York City, and established the Pace and Handy Music Company. Pace and Handy published sheet music that was sold to white-owned record companies. Yet as the Harlem Renaissance picked up steam, Pace was inspired to expand his business. After ending his partnership with Handy, Pace establish the Pace Phonograph Corporation and the Black Swan Record Label in 1921. The company was named for performer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield who was called â€Å"The Black Swan.† Famed composer William Grant Still was hired as the company’s musical director. Fletcher Henderson became Pace Phonograph’s bandleader and recording manager. Working out of the basement of Pace’s home, Black Swan Records played an important role making jazz and blues mainstream musical genres. Recording and marketing music specifically to African-American consumers, Black Swan recorded the likes of Mamie Smith, Ethel Waters and many others. In its first year of business, the company made an estimated $100,000. The following year, Pace purchased a building to house the business, hired regional district managers in cities throughout the United States and an estimated 1,000 salespeople. Soon after, Pace joined forces with white business owner John Fletcher to buy a pressing plant and recording studio. Yet Pace’s expansion was also the beginning of his downfall. As other record companies realized that African-American consumerism was powerful, they also began hiring African-American musicians.   By 1923, Pace had to close the doors of Black Swan. After losing to major recording companies that could record for lower prices and the arrival of radio broadcasting, Black Swan went from selling 7000 records to 3000 daily. Pace filed for bankruptcy, sold his pressing plant in Chicago and finally, he sold Black Swan   to Paramount Records.   Life After Black Swan Records   Although Pace was disappointed by the quick rise and fall of Black Swan Records, he was not deterred from being a businessman. Pace opened the Northeastern Life Insurance Company. Pace’s company went on to become one of the most prominent African-American owned businesses in the northern United States. Before his death in 1943, Pace graduated from law school and practiced as an attorney for several years.