Absolute MonarchsAbsolute MonarchsRise of Absolute KingsRise of Absolute KingsPreview:

–How might having a king with totaltotal power be a good thing? Explain your answer

The Age of Absolutism

A period from 1648 to 1763 when European monarchs began to create powerful nations that placed unlimited powerunlimited power in the hands of the king and his/her advisors

The Rise of Absolute Monarchs

What is an Absolute Monarch?European kings had very little

power during the Middle Ages but slowly gained power during the Renaissance

Eventually, the kings in Spain, France, Russia, Austria, & Prussia had complete control over the lords & commoners in their nation

Phillip II of Spain

Louis XIV of France

Peter & Catherine the Great of Russia

Maria Theresa of Austria

Frederick the Great of Prussia

How did kings go from having no power in the Middle Ages to becoming absolute

monarchs after the Renaissance?

Middle Ages (500-1300)During the Middle Ages,

FeudalismFeudalism was very important:–Feudalism divided society into

clear classes (You’re either a poor peasant, a noble, or a monarch & there was little chance to move up)

–Feudalism provided order & protection for the common peasants

Middle Ages (500-1300)In the Middle Ages, the Catholic

Church had unquestioned power

–Almost everyone was Catholic in Europe so the pope served almost like a king

–The church controlled peoples’ actions because church leaders controlled access into heaven & could excommunicate people

Renaissance (1300-1600)But the Crusades, Black Death, &

100 Years War weakened the power of feudal lords

In the Renaissance, kings gained power & began to form strong nations as trade increased, people moved to cities, a new middle was class formed, & mercantilism gave wealthy kings lots of power

Wealth = Power

Protestant Reformation (1517-1550)During the Reformation, critics

like Martin Luther, John Calvin, & Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church

This weakened the power of the church & the Pope

Age of Absolutism (1648-1763)When feudal lords & the pope lost

power, someone had to step up & lead the people

People looked to their new wealthy kings to create a sense of order & act as figures of authority

As a result of this need, monarchs were able gain almost absolute (unlimited) power

Age of Absolutism (1648-1763)Monarchs justified their right to

have absolute power by using the idea of divine rightdivine right—kings get their powers from God, not the people or a parliament

Age of Absolutism (1648-1763)European kings were afraid one

nation would become too strong & conquer the others; So they tried to keep a balance of powerbalance of power

As a result, lots of wars were fought during this time period SpainSpain FranceFrance