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Absolute Monarchy

Absolute Monarchy. The Scientific Revolution, Age of Enlightenment, and the American Revolution Issues of disunity in Europe (Renaissance, Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Sci. Revolution) Main cause of Disunity: Competition between the Aristocracy & the Monarchy

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Absolute Monarchy

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  1. Absolute Monarchy • The Scientific Revolution, Age of Enlightenment, and the American Revolution • Issues of disunity in Europe (Renaissance, Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Sci. Revolution) • Main cause of Disunity: Competition between the Aristocracy & the Monarchy • European countries attempted to solve this disunity in two ways: Constitutionalism & Absolutism

  2. Constitutionalism vs. Absolutism • Constitutionalism (decentralized power): does not require a written constitution, but does require a set of rules about government which government respects. It also implies a balance in power between the government and its subjects (Parliament, Congress, Representatives, etc.) • Absolutism (centralized power): Right to rule is held by solely by a King/Queen; no assembly or group of nobles may limit the Monarchs authority. Uses Divine Right of Kings as justification.

  3. Review of the Scientific Revolution • What was the Scientific Revolution? • How was the Scientific Revolution a result of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Age of Exploration? • How did the Scientific Revolution change the way people approached scientific study? • What do you think is the most significant result of the Scientific Revolution?

  4. What is an Absolute Monarch? • Monarch (King or Queen) that centralizes power under one leader • King or Queen controls all aspects of the country and daily life • Uses religion to keep people under control • Controls economy • Leads military and decides when to declare war • Creates all laws

  5. Divine Right of Kings • What is It?: The King gets the right to rule directly from God and does not have to answer to any other source • Why is it Important?: Used to justify the strong absolute monarchs

  6. More Details on Absolute Monarchs • Where?: Europe, specifically France, Spain, and Russia • When?: 1500s to the late 1700s • Who?: Louis XIV (France), King Phillip II (Spain), Peter the Great (Russia)

  7. King Louis XIV of France • Reigns from 1643-1715 CE • Strongest Monarch in all of French History • Called himself “the Sun King” because he was the center of the universe • Took all power in France for himself – eliminated all enemies

  8. King Louis XIV’s Goals • 1). Make France the strongest nation in Europe • Build army, strengthen monarchy/weaken nobility • 2). Make France the intellectual and political light to the rest of the world. • Built Versailles (watch those Nobles!) • 3). Strengthen power of the Monarch • Never called meeting of Estates-General • Religious unity necessary for cultural unity • Revoked Edict of Nantes (passed by Henry IV in 1598)

  9. Successes and Failures of Louis XIV Successes Failures Eliminates French law-making body – the Estates General Involved in many costly wars (lost most of them) France becomes enemy of others in Europe Religious persecution of Protestants Long-term cause of the French Revolution • Increased power of French monarch • Built strongest army in Europe • Improves economy – France is wealthiest in Europe • Promotes the Arts - Spreads French culture throughout Europe • Palace of Versailles

  10. The Palace of Versailles Center of French Monarchy through 1798 1/3 of a mile long palace on 2000 acres of land 700 rooms 1400 fountains

  11. Reflection Questions • What are the possible problems with the idea of absolute monarchy and the Divine Right of Kings? • How do you think the people in the Early Modern Era (1450-1750) would respond to the powers of an absolute monarch?

  12. Differing Concepts about Absolutism • Thomas Hobbes: pro-absolutism; pro-Divine Right • John Locke: Rejects absolutism; pro-Social Contract • Basic Human rights: Life, Liberty, Property • Right of Citizen to rebel if rights are violated

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