ABSOLUTISM IN EUROPE

SWBAT: explain absolutism and identify absolute monarchs.

Homework: None

Do now: answer the questions on the top of the guided notes.

Agree or Disagree

◦“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  

Agree or Disagree

◦“Power resides only where men believe it resides.”

Agree or Disagree

◦“We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”

What is absolutism?

◦Form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government

◦Power is not limited by a constitution or by the law.

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

◦Absolute monarchies are often hereditary but other means of transmission of power can be used.

THE MONARCHS- AN OVERVIEW

Louis XIV- France

◦Ruled France for 72 years.◦Lived through rebellions as a child and looked to make the king’s power absolute.

◦Believed in the divine right of kings- god had chosen him to rule.

◦Made all important decisions himself.

◦Adopted the sun as his personal symbol.

Versailles

◦Built Versailles; represented the power of the monarchy.

◦Used it to control nobles.

◦Nobles could advance only by gaining the king’s favor.

Peter I- Russia

◦Wanted to modernize Russia.◦Looked to Europe, specifically France, for inspiration.

Absolutism in Russia

◦Took Louis’ ideas of absolutism and pushed them even further.

◦Had complete control of a highly centralized government.

◦Brought the Russian Orthodox Church under his control.

◦Nobles were given land and serfs (slaves) that Peter could take away at any time.◦Led to extreme loyalty from lords and complete power of the state.

◦Elevated the status of the army, making them loyal to the czar.

Frederick William I - Prussia

◦Did not want to follow France as an example.

◦Did not believe lavish spending was the way to create power.

Prussia

The Plan

◦Instead he building large buildings, he concentrated on the army. He doubled the size and made it the most efficient force in Europe.◦Well equipped, disciplined, and were punished if orders were disobeyed.

◦Brought absolute power to himself with the use of his army.

Elizabeth I - England

◦Absolutism never gained the foothold in England as it had in other European countries.

◦Parliament was used by Henry VIII to turn England Protestant, which gave them more power.

◦Elizabeth used Parliament, but did not allow it too much power.

◦ Instead, she sought to gain power through religious unity.

◦Puritans and Catholics were prosecuted.

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