Absolute Monarchs Rule Absolutely!

Absolute Monarchs

A king or queen who . . . .• has total control in a country.• believes the power was given by

God.• has no limits or checks to the

power.

Divine Right• The idea that God gave the

king or queen power. • The king or queen answers

only to God.

Why now?

1) Reformation weakened power of church.

2) Exploration is bringing wealth to kings.

3) Conflicts between countries.

Philip the II of Spain

• 1) Defender of the Catholic Church

• 2) built the Spanish Armada

• 3) patron of the arts

• 4) Spain’s Golden Age

Louis XIV of France• “I am the State.” (What

does that mean?)

• Cancelled Edict of Nantes

• Took power from nobles

• “Sun King”

• Built Palace of Versailles

Peter the Great of Russia

• Grand Embassy• Heavy taxes• Killed thousands of

people• Westernization of

Russia (potatoes, newspaper, role of women, improved education)

Now what. . . . .?

• Absolute rulers are ruling their countries with total control. They are taxing people, spending the money, and plunging their countries into debt. People are starving, rebels are being tortured and killed, nobles are losing power, peasants are forced to build roads or become soldiers.

• Predict what happens next. . . . . .