Absolute Monarchy

• In this unit you will:• Understand the Definitions of Political,

Social, and Economic.• Analyze the characteristics of an Absolute

Monarch and analyze their impact the political, social, and economic lives of the people.

Political

Practice and theory of influencing other people. Distribution of power and resources within a given community. Exercising or seeking power in government, involving state or local government. Practice or profession of conducting governmental affairs.

Economic

Describes the factors which determine the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Explanation of why individuals buy certain products and how products are made.

Social

Having to do with society, culture, and attitudes. The everyday lives of people.

What is an absolute monarch?• Rule by ONE PERSON—a monarch,

usually a king or a queen—whose actions are restricted neither by written law nor by custom.

• Absolute monarchy persisted in France until 1789 and in Russia until 1917.

• Today only Swaziland and the Vatican are absolute monarchies

Monarchy• A monarchy, (from the Greek "monos arkhein" -- "one ruler") is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State.

• The position of monarch often involves inheritance in some form. Henry VIII of England

Characteristics of an Absolute Monarch

1. Ruled by one person2. Rule is Hereditary or passed down through

the family3. Actions are not restricted by written law or

custom 4. They believe their authority to rule comes

from god

Decline of feudalism

Rise of cities

Growth of national kingdoms

Growth of middle class

Wealth of colonies

Breakdown of Church authority

Economic and religious crisesRevolts

Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy Increased size of court

Created new government bureaucracies

Reduced power of nobles and representative bodies

Absolute Monarch

Rise of Absolutism

One theme = CONTROL!!!1. Control the government

-Centralize & create bureaucracies -Reduce power of representative bodies

2. Control the nobility -Increase size of court; regulate social gatherings -Reduce nobles’ power in the government

3. Control economics -Great works -Economic policies centralized

4. Control power -Divine right & regulate religion

Example: Louis the XIV 1638-1715• Intendants: Poltical

– Government agents who collected taxes and administered justice (like FBI). They were under Louis’ control only and kept the gov’t centrally controlled.

• Sun King Court: Social– Louis required all nobles to stay at Versailles with him and attend his daily routine.

That meant being in his chambers when he rose and went to bed as well as attending meals. Louis was the sun king because everything revolved around him.

• Divine Right: Social and Political– “The sovereign power of government should be proportionate to its mandate, and in the

station he occupies in the body of human society that makes up the state, he who is the head should hold the place of God. For since God is the only natural sovereign of men, their judge, their lawgiver, their king, no man can have lawful authority over others unless he holds it from the hand of God .... The power of sovereigns being thus derived from the authority of God, it acts as the arm and force of the justice that should be the soul of government; and that justice alone has the natural claim to rule the minds and hearts of men, for it is over these two faculties of men that justice should reign.” –Jean Domat, Jurist

• Economics & Jean Baptiste Colbert– Tariffs, expand manufacturing, fur trade

Royal Gardens

Hall of Mirrors

Hall of Battles

Royal Bedroom (King’s Chambers) One of several

Furniture

Louis as Apollo

Louis as Cavalier

Louis as Sun King

Other Absolute Monarchs in Europe 1500-1800

Chapter 17: 410-439• Phillip II of Spain: Section 1• Charles I of England: Section 3• James I of England: Section 3• Maria Theresa of Austria: Section 4• Frederick the Great of Prussia: Section 4• Peter the Great of Russia: Section 5• Catherine the Great of Russia: Section 5

Formative Assessment

Find the Political, Social, and Economic policies of your Absolute Monarch.