Question

catherine the great was the ruler of russia. she founded a printing press shop to help spread enlightenment ideas. but she also used her power to decide what could be printed. for example, people could not print texts that spoke out against her power.
frederick the great was the ruler of prussia, in parts of present - day germany and poland. he supported some natural rights by banning the use of torture and the death penalty. but he would not support a law to end a system of forced labor. ending that system would have angered his supporters, and he needed their support to stay in power.
using the information above, complete the text.
interested in limit didnt support increase supported
enlightened despots were enlightenment ideas such as fair government practices, freedom of speech, and protecting natural rights. but they enlightenment ideas that could limit their power. instead, they often used enlightenment ideas to their government control.

Explanation:

• First blank: The text about Catherine the Great founding a printing press to spread Enlightenment ideas and Frederick the Great supporting some natural rights (like banning torture) shows that Enlightened Despots had an engagement with Enlightenment ideas. “Interested in” fits as it indicates a general connection or inclination towards these ideas.
• Second blank: Catherine restricted what could be printed (to protect her power) and Frederick didn’t support ending forced labor (as it would affect his power - base). So, they “didn’t support” ideas that could limit their power.
• Third blank: Since they used Enlightenment ideas in a way that was beneficial to their rule (e.g., spreading some ideas but controlling them), it was to “increase” (strengthen or expand) their government control rather than limit it. “Limit” would be the opposite of what the examples show (they were protecting their power, not reducing it), and “supported” is too broad as the second part of the text focuses on the ideas they didn’t back.

Answer:

interested in; didn’t support; increase