What is an Absolute Monarch?

What is an Absolute Monarch?

• Several monarchs in western and eastern Europe increased the power of their central governments.

• These kings, emperors, or sultans secured their position as the supreme ruler and possessor of ALL power.

• They surrounded themselves with followers and advisors who were strong advocates of royal absolutism.

• For those that opposed their behavior and seizure of power they replied that they had been granted the divine right of kings.

What is Divine Right?

• Divine Right is the idea that the right to rule comes from God.

• The royal monarch was not only inspired by God, but also the image of God and was therefore only accountable to God.

Louis XIV 1638-1715

Reign of Louis XIV“The Sun King”

Government*Held absolute power

*Expanded bureaucracy and appointed officials to carry out policies

*Never convened the Estates General

Louis XIV“The Sun King”

Economy

*Practiced mercantilism

*Promoted trade

*Imposed high tariffs on imports

*Encouraged overseas colonies

Wars

*Massive Army

*Set goal to expand French borders and dominate Europe

*Was somewhat successful

Louis XIV“The Sun King”

Religious Persecution*Persecuted Huguenots

(French Protestants)

*Revoked the Edict of Nantes which had granted the Huguenots religious toleration

Arts*Sponsored musical

entertainment and commissioned plays

*Became an artistic model for all of Europe

Louis XIV“The Sun King”

Versailles*Immense Palace

*Symbol of wealth and power

*Ceremonies surrounded everyday life

Entrance to Versailles Palace

• Ceiling of Versailles Chapel

The Queen’s Bedchambers

Hall of Mirrors

Versailles Garden

The Sun King

Phillip II Spain 1556-1598

• Centralized power, became an absolute monarch, and claimed that he ruled by divine right

Phillip II of Spain

• Governed his scattered dominions through a system of advisory councils

• Every decision was Philip's; every question required his answer; every document needed his signature.

“It is best to keep an eye on everything.”

King Phillip II

Government Wars Arts Religion

Philip II makes himself absolute ruler

Builds strong navy Supports arts and learning

Supports Catholic Reformation

Controls all parts of government

Defeats Ottoman navy in 1571

Sets up schools of science and mathematics

Stops Catholics from converting to Protestantism

Believes God had given him right to rule

English navy defeats Spanish navy in 1588

Encourages painters and writers

Persecutes Protestants in Spain

Fights against Dutch Protestants for many years

Peter the Great (1672-1725)

• Ruled first as czar (king) of Russia and later became Russia's first emperor.

• Transformed Russia from an isolated and backward country into a great European power.

Peter the Great

• Expanded industry and foreign trade and the construction of new roads and canals

• Started Russia's first newspaper, and founded technical schools, a museum, a public library, and an art gallery.

Peter the Great

• Imposed high taxes on the Russian people to pay for wars and reforms

• Dealt harshly with people who opposed reforms.

• Forced many Russians to work against their will in his mines and factories and on building projects.

Akbar the Great

• Akbar (1542-1605), was considered a great ruler of the Mughal Empire of India. During his 49-year reign he controlled most of north and central India and Afghanistan.

Akbar the Great• Came to power at age 13, after

his father died unexpectedly

• Set up the governmental framework of the empire

• Organized new systems of coinage and taxation.

• Tolerant towards all religions

• Patron of architecture, art, and literature. His court was rich in culture as well as wealth.

“L'état, c'est moi"

• “ I am the State,” is attributed to Louis XIV.

• How does this statement reflect the ideas of an absolute monarch?