Absolute Monarchs of Europe

AbsolutismThe belief

that one ruler should hold all of the power within the boundaries of a country.

The goal was to control every aspect of society.

Divine RightAbsolute

monarch believed that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on Earth.

Absolutism: CausesReligious and

Territory Conflicts created fear.

The growth of national armies.

Heavy taxes that led to an increase in revolts and the need for order.

Absolutism: EffectsRulers regulated

religious and social gatherings.

Rulers increase the size of their courts to appear powerful.

Rulers create agencies in their name to control the economy.

King Philip II of SpainHe was very suspicious and

preferred to do everything on his own.

A fourth of all gold coming back from Spain’s colonies went into his personal treasury.

He viewed himself as the defender of Catholicism and was determined to oppose Protestant England.

Spanish art and writing expanded.

King Louis XIV of FranceThe most powerful ruler in

French History and he firmly believed he was France.

He was determined to never allow the nobles to threaten him and stole their power.

King Louis was known for his grand and luxurious lifestyle with multiple palaces.

Along with King Philip he carried out multiple wars to increase power

Peter the Great of RussiaPeter was extremely

intelligent and well liked by all around him.

Although liked, Peter ruled with an iron fist and exiled any who opposed him.

He desired Russia to become more like the powerful kingdoms of Europe and travelled and learned from the other monarchs.

Frederick the Great of PrussiaExtremely effective

military leader who for the first time in its history, began to unify Germany.

Frederick viewed himself as being in a father like role with his people.

Prussian soldiers were often hired as mercenaries around the World.

Absolute Conflict: Thirty Years War

A series of religious and territory wars (Austria vs. Prussia)

It was the final religious war in Europe.

It made Central Europe the only place with no one real absolute ruler.

Powerful Non-Absolute Nations

The Dutch: Prospered like the Italians during the Renaissance and had a Republic form of government.

The English: England was Constitutional Monarchy meaning that the King was forced to shared power with the elected Parliament