Absolute Absolute MonarchyMonarchy

AbsoluteAbsolute

Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy

Power of the MonarchsPower of the Monarchs

They really had all of the power They really had all of the power

Do not do anything themselves. Do not do anything themselves.

An An absolute monarchy absolute monarchy means that all means that all authority and powers comes from the authority and powers comes from the throne and the monarch appoints those to throne and the monarch appoints those to exercise the power in the name of the king.exercise the power in the name of the king.

What did all monarchs have in What did all monarchs have in common?common?

Divine Right of Kings Divine Right of Kings

– This theory states that monarchs are answerable This theory states that monarchs are answerable only to God, and all their actions are the work of only to God, and all their actions are the work of God for their (and his) people. God for their (and his) people.

– An act against a King is an act against GodAn act against a King is an act against God

– Gives monarch more powerGives monarch more power

– Later, monarchs would wear the title Later, monarchs would wear the title "Enlightened "Enlightened Despots" Despots" as rulers who take the best interests of as rulers who take the best interests of their subjects to heart and sought to rule with some their subjects to heart and sought to rule with some of the enlightened ideals.of the enlightened ideals.

Monarchs WealthMonarchs Wealth

Taxes, taxes, and more taxes. Taxes, taxes, and more taxes.

Taxes fell on the peasants. Taxes fell on the peasants.

As the middle class arose (called As the middle class arose (called

the the bourgeoisie bourgeoisie in France) they in France) they came to bear the brunt of the tax came to bear the brunt of the tax burden. burden.

MercantilismMercantilism is a set of principles that guided is a set of principles that guided

economic thought in the 17th century economic thought in the 17th century

wealth was determined by how much wealth was determined by how much bullion (gold and silver)bullion (gold and silver) you had in you had in your treasury your treasury

Favorable Balance of Trade-Favorable Balance of Trade-must must sell more manufactured items to other sell more manufactured items to other countries than you buy from outside countries than you buy from outside your country your country

MercantilismMercantilism

Kings would subsidize producers Kings would subsidize producers and place a and place a high tariff (taxes) high tariff (taxes) on imported goods. on imported goods.

Colonies played an important part Colonies played an important part by providing the mother country by providing the mother country with raw materials and markets with raw materials and markets for products. for products.