In contrast with other European countries, in the Habsburg Monarchy the ideas of the Enlightenment were spread by a ruler-> ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM.
Representatives: Maria Theresa (174-1780), Joseph II. (1780-1790)
1781- Edict of Toleration- equality for Protestants
1785- Abolition of serfdom in Hungary
The rule of these monarchs relieved social, political and national situation, which created conditions for development of the Slovak National Revival. The Slovak educated class started organizing the social movement but there was a difference of opinion about the questions of language and ethnicity right from the beginning.