ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTE MONARCHYMONARCHY

ABSOLUTE MONARCHYABSOLUTE MONARCHY Absolute monarchy or despotic monarchy is a Absolute monarchy or despotic monarchy is a

monarchical from of government in which the monarchical from of government in which the monarch has absolute power among his or her monarch has absolute power among his or her people.people.

An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political power over the sovereign state and its people.power over the sovereign state and its people.

An absolute monarch exercises total power over An absolute monarch exercises total power over the land, yet in practise the monarchy is the land, yet in practise the monarchy is counterbalanced by political groups from among counterbalanced by political groups from among the social groups from among the social classes the social groups from among the social classes and castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy, and castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy, clergy, and middle and lower classes.clergy, and middle and lower classes.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPEEUROPE

Througthout much of European history, the Througthout much of European history, the divine right of kings was the theological divine right of kings was the theological justification for absolute monarchy.justification for absolute monarchy.

Many european monarchs, such as those of Many european monarchs, such as those of Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by divine right, and that their subjects had no rights divine right, and that their subjects had no rights to limit their power.to limit their power.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE EUROPE

James VI of Scotland (later also James VI of Scotland (later also James I of England) and his son James I of England) and his son Charles I of Scotland and England Charles I of Scotland and England tried to import this principle. Charles tried to import this principle. Charles tried to apply the episcopal polity on tried to apply the episcopal polity on the Church of Scotland and it led to the Church of Scotland and it led to rebellion by the Covenanters and the rebellion by the Covenanters and the Bishops’ wars. Then he fears that Bishops’ wars. Then he fears that Charles I was attempting to establish Charles I was attempting to establish absolutists governments along absolutists governments along European lines. It was a major cause European lines. It was a major cause of the English Civil War.of the English Civil War.

James VI of ScotlandJames VI of Scotland

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPEEUROPE

Charles I of Scotland and EnglandCharles I of Scotland and England

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPEEUROPE

In the 19th Century, the Divine right was In the 19th Century, the Divine right was considered as an absolute theory in the majority considered as an absolute theory in the majority of the countries in the Western world, except in of the countries in the Western world, except in Russia, were it was still given credence as the Russia, were it was still given credence as the official justification for the Czar’s power.official justification for the Czar’s power.

There are differents opinions by historians about There are differents opinions by historians about the extent of absolutism among european the extent of absolutism among european monarchs. monarchs.

Perry Anderson argue that some monarchs Perry Anderson argue that some monarchs archieved levels of absolute control over their archieved levels of absolute control over their states, while other historians, such as Roger states, while other historians, such as Roger Mettam dispute the same concept of absolutism. Mettam dispute the same concept of absolutism.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: FranceEUROPE: France

The monarch Louis XIV of The monarch Louis XIV of France (1638-1715) proclamed France (1638-1715) proclamed `L’état, c’est moi’ (I’m the state). `L’état, c’est moi’ (I’m the state). He said that the interests of the He said that the interests of the state come first. state come first.

He ruled in France for a log He ruled in France for a log period, and some historians period, and some historians considered him a successful considered him a successful absolute monach. absolute monach.

He concentrated in his person He concentrated in his person legislative, executive and legislative, executive and judicial powers.judicial powers.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: FranceEUROPE: France

One of the steps to One of the steps to creating an absolute creating an absolute monarchy in France monarchy in France was to build the was to build the Palace of Palace of Versailles, where he Versailles, where he lived with many of lived with many of his nobles and other his nobles and other important people.important people.

Palace of VersaillesPalace of Versailles

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: Denmark-NorwayEUROPE: Denmark-Norway

Absolutism was underpinned by a written Absolutism was underpinned by a written constitution for the first time in Europe in the 1665 constitution for the first time in Europe in the 1665 Kongeloven ("King's Law") of Denmark-Norway, who ordered that the Monarch shall from this day forth be revered and considered the most perfect and supreme person on the Earth by all his subjects. This law consequently authorized the king to abolish all other centers of power. Most important was the abolition of the Council of the Realm.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: PrussiaEUROPE: Prussia

The concept of absolute The concept of absolute monach took a notable turn. monach took a notable turn.

Frederick William (1640-Frederick William (1640-1688), known as the Great 1688), known as the Great Elector, that consolidated his Elector, that consolidated his territories into the dominant territories into the dominant kingdom in Northern kingdom in Northern Germany.Germany.

City leaders often revolted at City leaders often revolted at the electorate authority. the electorate authority. Frederick crushed this revolt Frederick crushed this revolt in 1662.in 1662.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: RussiaEUROPE: Russia

Until 1905 the Tsars of Russia Until 1905 the Tsars of Russia governed as absolute governed as absolute monarchs.monarchs.

The tradition of absolutism, The tradition of absolutism, known as the Tsarist autocracy, known as the Tsarist autocracy, was expanded by Catherine II was expanded by Catherine II the Great and her descendents. the Great and her descendents.

Russia didn’t have a Russia didn’t have a representative assembly or a representative assembly or a constitution until the 1905 constitution until the 1905 Revolution. Revolution.

Russia became the last Russia became the last european country to abolished european country to abolished absolutism.absolutism.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN EUROPE: SwedenEUROPE: Sweden

The form of government is commonly The form of government is commonly referred to as absolute monarchy, referred to as absolute monarchy, however, the monarch still ruled under the however, the monarch still ruled under the law and could only legislate in agreement law and could only legislate in agreement with the Riksdad of the Estates.with the Riksdad of the Estates.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHYABSOLUTE MONARCHY

By Azucena Montalvo 2º ABy Azucena Montalvo 2º A