Chapter 21:

Absolute Monarchs in Europe1500-1800

Absolutism

● Absolutism was the political belief that one ruler should hold all the power within the boundaries of the country.

The Theory of Absolutism

●Who?: Kings and Queens

●Wanted?: Absolute monarchy: to hold all the power

●Believed in? Divine right: the idea that God created the monarchy and the monarch acted as God's representation on earth.

Why do monarchs gain more influence

& control in Europe after theRenaissance ?

Louis XIV: France'The most powerful monarch of all time'

● At the age 22, in 1661

“L'etat c'est moi”I am the state.

Louis XIV French monarchy

● Weakens power of nobility● Increase power of government agents● Communicate daily with local officials● Controls trading

Mercantilism in France:-self sufficient-high tariffs on goods-fur trade with Canada

Patronge of the Arts● Opera● Ballet● Images glorified the king and absolute monarchy

Does humanism and secularism still exist?

Under King Louis XIV

● France was the most powerful country in Europe● Tried to expand France's borders● Invaded both Spanish and Dutch Netherlands

End of his reign

● End of the 1680s their was an alliance to stop France

● (Netherlands, England, Austria, Sweden, Spain)

● France became weaker due to

● - poor harvests

● - constant warfare

● - higher taxes to pay for wars(debt)

● Louis XIV's abuse of powers will plague his heirs

Wealth of Louis XIV● The Palace of Versailles (video clip)