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The Rise of Royal Power

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Divine Right Theory

Absolute Ruler

Louis XIV

Thomas Hobbes

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The Protestant Reformation led to conflictbetween Catholics and Protestants.

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Religious wars frequently followed.

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Kings wereable to

increasetheir standingarmies and

increase taxationduring the

Reformation torestore peace.

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In addition tothe Reformation,increased tradecreated a new

class of people:the Middle Class.The Middle Classfrequently allied

with kings forprotection and stability.

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Monarchs also gained power due tothe belief in Divine Right.

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Divine Right of Kings

• Divine Right Theory was the idea that a monarch’s power came from God.

• It was the belief that the King or Monarch was God’s Deputy on Earth.

• It was the belief that God had appointed the King and the people had to obey the King.

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Louis XIV wasa divine ruler

in France.He

was an absolute

ruler.

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Absolutism

• Absolutism refers to a monarch’s total control over his subjects.

• An absolute ruler has absolute power.

• The monarch or king makes every decision for the nation.

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Thomas Hobbes was a Britishphilosopher.

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Hobbes believedthat only kingscould maintain

order.

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The ProtestantReformationchanged life

in many Europeansocieties. One

significant changewas the rise ofpowerful kings.

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It was an age

of powerful

monarchs.

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Questions for Reflection:

• What changes in European society increased the power of kings?

• Define Divine Right Theory.

• Who was a divine ruler in France?

• What did Thomas Hobbes believe?

• Define absolutism.

• How does absolutism differ from democracy?