THE AGE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS 1500- 1800 Political Consolidation
of European Leaders
Slide 2
Absolutism Absolutism is a style of governing where the ruler,
or monarch, had absolute power over their subjects. These rulers
viewed themselves as above all power from within the state itself.
Absolute rulers affected the lives of more people than ever before
through taxation, and military service.
Slide 3
Absolutism in Practice Absolute rulers negotiated with nobles
to secure their allegiances. Absolute monarchs extended their
authority by expanding the structure of the state. State aperatuses
were led by nobles loyal to the monarch Rulers expanded standing
armies and waged war at unprecedented rates. Size of Euro armies,
pg 267 Merriman Absolute monarchs asserted their authority in
matters of religion as well.
Slide 4
Phillip II Philip II was the ruler during Spains golden age.
Sixteenth Century Philip II held lands throughout Europe, Asian,
Africa and the Americas.
Slide 5
Louis XIV The French absolute monarch during the second half of
the Seventeenth Century. He launched wars which expanded French
territory. He stamped out Protestantism in France. France was the
major European power in this era.
Slide 6
Fredrick William and Fredrick II Absolute Monarchs of Prussia.
King Frederick felt, like other absolute monarchs, that his rule
was ordained by god and was an extremely strict ruler. Priorities
included strengthening the royal administration and enlarging the
army. Frederick II used the army that his father built and begun
the War of Austrian Succession which dragged most of Europe into
war. These monarchs are credited with the rise of Prussia as a
power in Europe.
Slide 7
Peter I Peter the Great consolidated power in Russia during the
seventeenth century and built an economy and military based off of
what he had learned in western Europe. He also reformed the Russian
Orthodox Church, doing away with office of patriarch, who were a
check to the Russian tsars.
Slide 8
The Age of Absolute Monarchs Handout Analyze the chart and
answer the questions on the back.