Lord Acton (1834-1902)

What’s YOUR Interpretation?

What do you think the quote above means?

Do you agree or disagree?

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

The Theory of Absolutism

• Kings and queens want to be absolute monarchs • Have total power over all aspects of country and

people• No checks and balances

• Believe in Divine Right• Monarchs are given power to rule directly from

God

In 1576, Jean Bodin, an influential French writer, defined absolute rule:

“The first characteristic of the sovereign prince is the power to make general and special laws, but—and this qualification is important—without the consent of superiors, equals, or inferiors. If the prince requires the consent of superiors, then he is a subject himself; if that of equals, he shares his authority with others; if that of his subjects, senate or people, he is not sovereign.”

What do you think the word sovereign means?

“supreme ruler; independent” dictionary.com

Now, take two minutes and summarize, in your own words, what Bodin is actually saying in the quote above. Be prepared to share

your summary!

Country: France

Religion: Catholic

The most powerful monarch of his time and in French history.

Liked to be called the Sun King, as all power radiated from him.

“I am the state.”

Case Study: Louis XIV (1638 – 1715)

Louis Weakened Nobles’ Authority

• Became king at 5• took actual control at 23

• Kept nobles out of gov’t• Appointed intendants

(government agents) to collect taxes

• Got rid of religious tolerance

Louis XIV in coronation robes.

Louis Controls the Nobility

• Kept nobility at palace to increase power over them (keep your friends close, but your enemies closer)

• Built magnificent palace at Versailles• Cost over $2 billion in current

dollars• Lots of art created to glorify

Louis

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage

Louis Fights Disastrous Wars

• France = most powerful country in Europe

• Invaded Spanish & Dutch Netherlands to gain more land

• Spent a LOT of $$ on wars

• European powers united to keep France from starting more wars

• France internally weakened by poor harvests, warfare, high taxes

Louis’ Death and Legacy

• Mixed legacy• France a major military

and cultural power in Europe

• Heavy debts due to war and palace

Activity: Life at Versailles

1. Read the article “Life at Versailles”

2. Answer the Document Based Questions

3. Be prepared to discuss!