ABSOLUTISM IN EUROPE
SWBAT: explain absolutism and identify absolute monarchs.
Homework: None
Do now: answer the questions on the top of the guided notes.
Agree or Disagree◦“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Agree or Disagree◦“Power resides only where men believe it resides.”
Agree or Disagree◦“We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”
What is absolutism?◦Form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government
◦Power is not limited by a constitution or by the law. ◦An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political power over the state and its people.
◦Absolute monarchies are often hereditary but other means of transmission of power can be used.
THE MONARCHS- AN OVERVIEW
Louis XIV- France◦Ruled France for 72 years.◦Lived through rebellions as a child and looked to make the king’s power absolute.
◦Believed in the divine right of kings- god had chosen him to rule.
◦Made all important decisions himself.
◦Adopted the sun as his personal symbol.
Versailles
◦Built Versailles; represented the power of the monarchy.
◦Used it to control nobles.◦Nobles could advance only by gaining the king’s favor.
Peter I- Russia◦Wanted to modernize Russia.◦Looked to Europe, specifically France, for inspiration.
Absolutism in Russia◦Took Louis’ ideas of absolutism and pushed them even further.◦Had complete control of a highly centralized government.◦Brought the Russian Orthodox Church under his control.◦Nobles were given land and serfs (slaves) that Peter could take away at any time.◦Led to extreme loyalty from lords and complete power of the state.
◦Elevated the status of the army, making them loyal to the czar.
Frederick William I - Prussia◦Did not want to follow France as an example.
◦Did not believe lavish spending was the way to create power.
Prussia
The Plan◦Instead he building large buildings, he concentrated on the army. He doubled the size and made it the most efficient force in Europe.◦Well equipped, disciplined, and were punished if orders were disobeyed.
◦Brought absolute power to himself with the use of his army.
Elizabeth I - England◦Absolutism never gained the foothold in
England as it had in other European countries.
◦Parliament was used by Henry VIII to turn England Protestant, which gave them more power.
◦Elizabeth used Parliament, but did not allow it too much power.
◦Instead, she sought to gain power through religious unity.
◦Puritans and Catholics were prosecuted.
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