AGE AGE OF OF

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS ABSOLUTE MONARCHS 1500-18001500-1800

Characteristics of AbsolutismCharacteristics of Absolutism

Empire expansionEmpire expansion Centralization of powerCentralization of power Establishment of elaborate Establishment of elaborate

administrative institutionsadministrative institutions Control of church/religionControl of church/religion Monument constructionMonument construction Claim of Divine Right Claim of Divine Right

Long-Term Causes of AbsolutismLong-Term Causes of Absolutism

Decline of feudalismDecline of feudalism Rise of cities and growth of middle Rise of cities and growth of middle

classclass Growth of national kingdomsGrowth of national kingdoms Loss of Church authorityLoss of Church authority

Immediate Causes of AbsolutismImmediate Causes of Absolutism

Religious and territorial conflictsReligious and territorial conflicts Buildup of armiesBuildup of armies Need for increased taxesNeed for increased taxes Revolts by peasants or noblesRevolts by peasants or nobles

Western EuropeWestern Europe

Absolutism easier here – why?Absolutism easier here – why? Divine right easier here – why?Divine right easier here – why? Crises in Europe fuel the growth of Crises in Europe fuel the growth of

absolute rule – why?absolute rule – why? Examples: Spain, FranceExamples: Spain, France

Central and Eastern EuropeCentral and Eastern Europe More slowly than in western Europe – More slowly than in western Europe –

why?why? Nobles hold down serfs and block the Nobles hold down serfs and block the

development of strong kingsdevelopment of strong kings Holy Roman Empire loses strength, Holy Roman Empire loses strength,

but Austria remains powerfulbut Austria remains powerful Enlightened despots Enlightened despots

RussiaRussia

Czars try to strengthen the state and Czars try to strengthen the state and reduce the power of the boyars reduce the power of the boyars (nobles)(nobles)

Russia is still a land of nobles and Russia is still a land of nobles and serfs, isolated and backward.serfs, isolated and backward.

Some czars want to westernize Some czars want to westernize Russia so it can compete with Russia so it can compete with western Europe.western Europe.

EnglandEngland

English kings clash with Parliament English kings clash with Parliament over money and power.over money and power.

English Civil WarEnglish Civil War Cromwell’s Commonwealth & Cromwell’s Commonwealth &

DictatorshipDictatorship Restoration of the MonarchyRestoration of the Monarchy Glorious Revolution brings political Glorious Revolution brings political

changes to Englandchanges to England

Immediate Effects of AbsolutismImmediate Effects of Absolutism

Regulation of religion and societyRegulation of religion and society Larger courtsLarger courts Huge building projectsHuge building projects New government bureaucraciesNew government bureaucracies Loss of power by nobility and Loss of power by nobility and

legislatureslegislatures

Long-Term Effects of AbsolutismLong-Term Effects of Absolutism

Revolution in FranceRevolution in France Western European influence on Western European influence on

RussiaRussia English political reforms that English political reforms that

influence U.S. democracyinfluence U.S. democracy

Something to think about…Something to think about…

"Power tends to corrupt, and "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad Great men are almost always bad men.“men.“This is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887:This is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887: