Age of Absolutism

Absolutism The Age of Absolutism takes its name from a series of European monarchs who increased the power of their central governments.

Absolute monarchy or absolutism meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right.

Characteristics of Absolutism  Centralization of power  Concept of rule by divine- right  Ultimate authority

Key Figures  Louis XIV of France  Frederick the Great of Prussia  Peter the Great of Russia

Louis XIV—The Sun King  King of France ( )  “One King, One Law, One Faith.”  Represents pinnacle of absolute monarchy in France  Created court at Versailles as a symbol of royal power

France Paris

Palace of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors

Gardens of Versailles

Fountains of Versailles

Effects of Louis XIV  Wielded supreme authority in his kingdom  Palace of Versailles as symbol of royal power

Frederick the Great—Soldier King  Emperor of Prussia ( )  Emphasis on military power  Created 4 th largest army in world  Made Prussia the “Sparta of the North”

Prussia

Effects of Frederick the Great  Introduced economic reforms  Granted religious freedom  Created a strong bureaucracy  Created an efficient army

Peter the Great  Tsar of Russia ( )  Westernized Russia  Built a new capital, St. Petersburg  Revolutionized the Russian army  Studied government and business models of the West

Russia Moscow

Westernizing Russia  Because European men were normally clean-shaven, Peter taxed Russians wearing beards.  Peter cut off the beards of the men in his court.

Effects of Peter the Great  Westernization of Russia