Absolutism

Absolutism in France

Conflicting Viewpoints Absolutism Constitutionalism Ruler claims sole and uncontestable power. There is no parliament Or if there is, power is very weak Divine Right of Kings Often Catholic Ruler shares power with an assembly of elected representatives. England Dutch Republic British North American Colonies (all above – Protestant)

Louis XIV Model of absolute monarchy Tells the Paris high court of justice: “I am the State” Misleading? Needs: Local officials Peasants/Artisans Soldiers Tax Payers Clergy Nobles

Weakening the Nobles’ Authority Weakens the power of nobles by excluding them from his councils Increased the power of intendants, who collected taxes and administered justice Intendants were like “civil servants”; they were appointed by the king to make sure his rule was being followed all over France He made sure that local officials communicated with him regularly

The Sun King’s Grand Style Louis spent a fortune surrounding himself with luxury Built the palace at Versailles near Paris Palace was 500 yards long Ornate decoration and furnishings Intended to clearly show Louis’s wealth and power

Patronage of the Arts Versailles was a center of arts Louis made opera and ballet more popular Louis supported the arts as a way to glorify the king and promote values that supported his absolute rule

Louis Controls the Nobility Louis required hundreds of nobles to live at Versailles Nobles kept busy with elaborate rituals surrounding Louis Increased royal authority in two ways: Made the nobility dependent on Louis Took them away from their homes so the intendants had more power Kept them under the king’s watchful eye

War: The Key to Absolutism Why does war aid in absolutism? Securing loyalty Professionalization of military

Constitutional Monarchy in England

The English Monarchy The Stuarts (who followed the Tudors) Believed in the Divine Right of Kings Wanted to remove Parliamentary power

The Glorious Revolution (1688) The English Civil War Struggle between kings and Parliament Parliament invites William and Mary to invade England (From the Netherlands)

English Bill of Rights Accepted by William and Mary Provisions: Parliament must consent to taxation Monarch could not be Roman Catholic Due Process of Law Parliament was allowed to meet regularly

Absolutism in Russia

Russia Today

Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Area with the United States

Russia’s Time Zones

Topography of Russia

Rich Soil of the Steppes Chernozem Soil

Themes in Russian History Expansion by conquest. Need for warm-water ports. The necessity of a strong, central government. Siberia (“Permafrost”) Average temperatures of January vary from 0 to -50°C, and in July from 1 to 25°C 150,000,000 population.

Early Russia

Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725) Best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation Created a strong navy Reorganized army according to Western standards Secularized schools Administered greater control over Orthodox Church Introduced new administrative and territorial divisions of the country. Improved agriculture (potato)

Peter the Great (part II) Constructed St. Petersburg (1703) Modeled after Versailles Exploited the Serfs Peasants did not benefit from reforms Forced into military Serfs were not tied to land, but to noble

Peter’s Legacy Good Bad Focused on science and technology Developed commerce and industry Created a viable Senate Won territory through war Turned Russia into a great power Bad Known to be cruel, tyrannical Continuously raised taxes Violent tendencies, heavy drinker