Absolute Monarchy

Absolute Monarchy

• Absolute= – All powerful

• Monarchy=– King or queen

• Absolute Monarchy• King/queen with complete control in their county

Divine Right

• God created the monarchy.

• Monarchs were God’s representatives on Earth

Structure

• Monarch:– Rule as the executive without check of legislature

or judiciary

• Citizen:– listen and respect the

monarch

Absolute Monarchies

Advantages• Clear decision maker• Stability with clear leader

Disadvantages• Lack of citizen participation,

lack of choice and rights. • Infrequent changes in

leaders

What led to absolute monarchs?

• Decline of feudalism: Crusades and wars killed many feudal lords

• Rising middle class supported the monarch- why? To protect their trade and property

• Reformation gave monarchs powers formerly held by the Catholic Church.

• Spirit of nationalism made monarchs a symbol of unity.

• Constant warfare. Had to keep large standing armies. Had to raise taxes.

ABSOLUTISMIN SPAIN

In the 1500s Spain was the most powerful nation in Europe.

Phillip IICountry: SpainYears: 1556 - 1598

Achievements: Hard-working ruler who ushered in the Golden age of Spain – the most powerful nation. He also helped strengthen the power of the Catholic Church

Downfalls: Spanish armada defeated by England.

ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE

By the late 1600s, France had replaced Spain as the most powerful European nation.

Louis XIVCountry: FranceYears: 1643 – 1715 (72 years!)

Achievements: Strengthened the monarchy, built palace of Versailles, strongest army in Europe, made France a wealthy cultural center.

Downfalls: He used the wealth for his own benefit, peasants starved, numerous wars, never called legislature to session.

Versailles

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

The Queen’s

Bed

The Queen’s

Bed

The King’s Bed

The King’s Bed

ABSOLUTISM IN RUSSIAThe driving force behind Russia’s rise to power was Ivan III (Ivan the Great). He built the framework for absolute rule in Russia, which would only get worse.

Ivan the TerribleCountry: RussiaYears: 1533 - 1584

Achievements: Introduced extreme absolute power, expanded Russian lands, made Russia more religious.

Downfalls: Set up the first Russian secret police, who murdered thousands for him. He killed many nobles and destroyed many towns, and even killed his own son in a fit of rage.

ABSOLUTISMIN AUSTRIA

Maria TheresaCountry: Austria

Years: 1740 - 1780

Achievements: Reclaimed Austrian lands, strengthened and unified Austrian monarchy, first woman to rule Hapsburg lands

Downfalls: War of Austrian succession led to the loss of territory, spent much time defending her right to rule.

ABSOLUTISMIN PRUSSIA

Frederick the Great

Country: PrussiaYears: 1740 - 1786Achievements: Seized Austrian lands, disciplined, strong army, modernized country, transformed country into economically strong and reformed state

Downfalls: frequent wars leading to many deaths

SummaryThrough the 1500s and 1600s absolutism became

dominant through much of Europe and parts of Asia. In Spain, France, and Russia, absolutist monarchs claimed

that they ruled by divine right and sought to extend their political power.