Age of Absolutism Setting the stage for the Modern Era

Scenario… Your JV soccer team wants to go out together Friday night to do some team bonding. What ways are there for your team to decide what activity to do?

Main Idea By the mid-1700s, absolute monarchs ruled 4 of the 5 major European powers Britain, the only exception, was still controlled by a limited monarchy By the mid-1700s, absolute monarchs ruled 4 of the 5 major European powers Britain, the only exception, was still controlled by a limited monarchy

What is an Absolute Monarch? A ruler with complete authority over the government of the people he or she governs –Several thinkers of 1500s Europe agreed strongly with this concept Thomas Hobbes Jacques-Benigne Bossuet

2 Essential facts to know… The goal of 16 th and 17 th century European monarchs was to centralize and strengthen their political power –Political absolutism supported that trend Creating a system where one ruler is all powerful was the easiest way for monarchs to gain total dominance over their empire The goal of 16 th and 17 th century European monarchs was to centralize and strengthen their political power –Political absolutism supported that trend Creating a system where one ruler is all powerful was the easiest way for monarchs to gain total dominance over their empire

Thomas Hobbes Believed people are naturally evil People will give up their freedom to ensure safety and order –This is why an absolute monarch is necessary

“The condition of man (in the state of nature)… is a condition of war of everyone against everyone” ~Hobbs, 1651

Jacques-Benigne Bossuet A French Bishop who strongly supported absolute monarchy due to divine right –Belief that a ruler’s authority comes directly from god Favorite King = Louis XIV

“…the King is sacred, and to attack him in any way is an attack on religion itself. Kings represent the divine majesty and have been appointed by Him to carry out His purposes. Serving God and respecting kings are bound together.” ~Bossuet, 1679

These dudes were nuts right? Why would anyone agree to this? –One word: RELIGION The role religion played in 16 th century Europe was ENORMOUS –Give me some examples of Global 9 stuff related to religion…

Spain – King Philip II ( ) Could be considered first modern absolute monarch Ruled with divine right and complete authority –Made Spain 1 st modern European power Goal was to expand Catholicism through war –Failed, and Spain went down the tube Could be considered first modern absolute monarch Ruled with divine right and complete authority –Made Spain 1 st modern European power Goal was to expand Catholicism through war –Failed, and Spain went down the tube

France – King Louis XIV ( ) Believed in divine right Took the sun as the symbol of his power –known as the Sun King Expanded his power through bonding with middle class and gaining land through wars Believed in divine right Took the sun as the symbol of his power –known as the Sun King Expanded his power through bonding with middle class and gaining land through wars

“L’etat, c’est moi” (I am the State) ~ Louis XIV related

Louis XIV continued… Built the very extravagant palace of Versailles (ver-si) –Considered most magnificent building in all of Europe during his time Brought French culture, fashion and customs to the forefront of European taste Built the very extravagant palace of Versailles (ver-si) –Considered most magnificent building in all of Europe during his time Brought French culture, fashion and customs to the forefront of European taste

Garden façade of the Palace of Versailles”, ca Shown is the terrace that was later to become part of the Hall of Mirrors.

The Salon of Apollo was originally designed to serve as the king’s bed chamber. It was transformed and used as a throne room

The Queen's bedchamber. There is a barely discernible hidden door in the corner near the jewel cabinet by Schwerdfeger (1787) through which Marie Antoinette escaped the night of 5/6 October 1789 when the Paris mob stormed Versailles.

View of the ceiling of the Chapel Royal, where Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI attended daily mass.

View of the Chapel Royal, containing both Baroque and Gothic elements, the work of Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

The Hall of Mirrors measures 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide, and 12.3 meters high. At one end is the Salon of War, at the other is the Salon of Peace. The first world war ended with the Treaty of Versailles, signed in the Hall of Mirrors.

Gardens at the Chateau of Versailles

Louis XIV – Good & Bad In this 5 min. video we will be learning about Louis XIV’s reign in France –While watching it I want you to list positives and negatives of his reign (things that helped France and things that hurt France) Make a T-chart on a sheet of paper to complete this exercise – we will discuss our findings together

Louis XIV recap… Absolute monarch = total power Believed in Divine Right (rule from God) Known as the Sun King Built immense building for people to see how powerful he was and to remember him by Based on this information, what ancient rulers can we compare Louis XIV?

The English Civil War Cavaliers (supporters of King Charles I) Roundheads (supporters of Parliament) EDt7eAhttps:// EDt7eA

The Glorious Revolution

England – William III of Orange ( ) & Mary II ( ) After a 10 year civil war, English Parliament permanently did away with absolute monarchs in England English Bill of Rights made Britain a limited monarchy William and Mary jointly ruled England, but had to work in partnership with Parliament After a 10 year civil war, English Parliament permanently did away with absolute monarchs in England English Bill of Rights made Britain a limited monarchy William and Mary jointly ruled England, but had to work in partnership with Parliament

William of Orange Use your video guide record essential information!

Limited Monarchy Government in which a constitution or legislative body limits the monarch’s powers How is this similar to our own Federal Government?

Russia – Peter the Great ( ) Main goal: Westernization and modernization of Russia –Forced men to shave beards and adopt European ways Expanded Russian empire using western ideas –Similar to Akbar the Great of India who promoted religious tolerance in his empire Main goal: Westernization and modernization of Russia –Forced men to shave beards and adopt European ways Expanded Russian empire using western ideas –Similar to Akbar the Great of India who promoted religious tolerance in his empire

Peter the Great Use your video guide record essential information!

Putting it together… Why is this called the Age of Absolutism? What is an absolute monarch? What were their main goals? What is a limited monarchy? Which European country still has one today? How did religion strengthen absolute monarchs’ power?

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