World History II The Age of Absolutism Lecture Notes: Unit 4 Lesson 2 Standard WHII.6b

To Do: Vocabulary Interpretation Question of the Day Notes Multiple Choice Question Analysis Risk

Vocabulary Absolutism Monarch Dynasty Despot Preemptive strike

Interpretation If I had the power to make you king/queen for a day…what would be the first thing you did?

Questions: Who were the absolute monarchs? What effect did the absolute monarchs have on their countries?

Absolute Monarchy A form of government where the king has the power to rule his or her land or country and its citizens freely, with no laws or legally-organized direct opposition in force. No constitution but what is in his head…

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchies Centralization of power Standing armies backed by expensive artillery Weak Nobles Monarch (king) controlled:  Finances  Press  Language  Domestic and foreign affairs

Divine Right of Kings Divine Kings were God's anointed representatives on earth. Each of them has been given his throne by God Himself. A Divine King was not subject to the will of his subjects, parliament, the aristocracy or any other competing authority. To rebel against their authority was to rebel against God.

Interpretation

Louis XIV (14 th )—France (1638 – 1715) Gained control over nobles by demanding their presence at Versailles for long periods.  This way he could watch over them and make sure none were plotting against him  Palace of Versailles was a symbol of royal power. Gained control over Catholic officials and had more power over the Church in France than the Pope did.

Palace at Versailles

The Palace at Versailles Built just outside of Paris, France in the 17 th century, it was the height of the European Renaissance. So was Louis XIV, the Sun King.

Peter the Great—Russia (Lived 1672 – 1725) (Ruled 1682 – 1725) Destroyed internal opposition (mostly from his older sister) and took sole power of Russia in 1696  Tried to end government corruption Toured Europe and decided to make Russia more like the European nations.  Studied European Culture  Demanded all Russian nobles cut off their beards or pay a beard tax Wanted to become a naval power – took control of the Baltic Sea from Sweden (warm water port)  Studied European Shipbuilding and Warfare

Peter’s Additions

Frederick the Great—Prussia (Germany) (lived 1712 – 1786) (ruled 1740 to 1786) He was both an enlightened ruler and a ruthless despot. Kept his enemies from building empires of their own through preemptive military strikes.  Said to have been a military genius  Fought mainly against Austria Built the kingdom of Prussia into a major European power.

Read p. 275

Questions: Who were the absolute monarchs? What effect did the absolute monarchs have on their countries?

Multiple Choice Question Analysis

Activity Take turns playing “Risk” (if it works)