The Rise of Absolute Monarchs

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1 The Rise of Absolute Monarchs

2 How might having a king/queen with total power be a good thing
How might having a king/queen with total power be a good thing? Explain your answer. How might having a king/queen with total power be a bad thing? Explain your answer.

3 The Age of Absolutism A period from 1648 to 1763 when European monarchs began to create powerful nations that placed unlimited power in the hands of the ruler.

4 What is an Absolute Monarch?
King/queen with no constitutional limits – governs alone and is not restrained by laws, a constitution, or customs. Also known as despotic monarchy. European kings had very little power during the Middle Ages but slowly gained power during the Renaissance Eventually, the kings in Spain, France, Russia, Austria, & Prussia had complete control over both the nobles & commoners in their nations

5 Peter & Catherine the Great of Russia
Frederick the Great of Prussia How did kings go from having no power in the Middle Ages to becoming absolute monarchs after the Renaissance? Louis XIV of France Maria Theresa of Austria Phillip II of Spain

6 Middle Ages ( ) During the Middle Ages, feudalism was very important… It divided society into clear classes (You’re either a peasant, a noble, or a monarch & there was little chance to move up) it provided order & protection

7 Middle Ages ( ) In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had unquestioned power Almost everyone was Catholic in Europe so the pope served almost like a king The church controlled peoples’ actions because church leaders controlled access into heaven & could excommunicate people

8 Renaissance (1300-1600) Wealth = Power
But the Crusades, Black Death, & 100 Years’ War weakened the power of feudal lords In the Renaissance, kings gained power & began to form strong nations as trade increased, people moved to cities, a new middle was class formed, and mercantilism gave wealthy kings lots of power Wealth = Power

9 Protestant Reformation (1517-1550)
During the Reformation, critics like Martin Luther, John Calvin, & Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church This weakened the power of the Church & the Pope

10 Age of Absolutism ( ) When feudal lords & the pope lost power, someone had to step up & lead the people People looked to their new wealthy kings to create a sense of order & act as figures of authority As a result of this need, monarchs were able gain almost absolute (unlimited) power

11 Think/Pair/Share Predict what will happen to the different social classes under an absolute monarchy: Nobles Middle class Peasants

12 Age of Absolutism ( ) Monarchs justified their right to have absolute power by using the idea of divine right -- kings get their powers from God, not the people or a parliament

13 Think/Pair/Share How did the role of religion help the monarch keep control during Absolutism? What other time period do you remember where religion was used to control people?

14 Age of Absolutism (1648-1763) Spain France
European kings were afraid one nation would become too strong & conquer the others -- they tried to keep a balance of power As a result, many wars were fought during this time period Spain France

15 Think/Pair/Share What are some effects that you can predict happening in these countries (short term and long term)? Think about SPEC… social, political, economical, cultural aspects

16 Immediate Effects Govt. regulation of religion and society
Larger royal courts Huge building projects New government bureaucracies/offices Loss of power by nobility and legislatures

17 Long term effects Revolutions (French, American, Russian)
Western European influence on Russia English political reforms that influence U.S. democracy