Limited and Unlimited Governments Standard 7-2.1

Vocabulary Unlimited Government There is no ability to limit the power of the government. Limited Government There are restraints placed upon the power and authority of government. Absolute Monarch (Absolutism) Government by a single person having unlimited power. Divine Right God-given power and authority to rule over all the people. Tyranny Unrestrained use of power by a government on its people. Parliament The legislative (law making) group representing the people. Magna Carta (Great Charter) An English document that states that the king is not above law.

Vocabulary Constitutional Monarchy A government ruled by a king or queen that is limited by a constitution Restoration The time period when the monarchy was restored to England.

Limited vs. Unlimited Government The power of the government (king) is unlimited. Very few individual rights and freedoms. Citizens must give complete obedience to the government. The government (king) makes all of the decisions. The power of the government (king) is limited by the law. Citizens have individual rights. Citizens can participate in government. Constitutions limit the power of the king.

Question… Looking at these photos, what is similar about these three men? 5

Different Types of Monarchies (Kings) The king believed in “divine right”, or the idea that their power came from God so they are only accountable to God. Had unlimited power over the country (absolutism – absolute authority). People had few rights and freedoms. Monarch kept control by raising taxes, dissolving the legislative (elected representatives) body, and using the military to enforce policies Absolute Monarchy (ex. France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia) Different Types of Monarchies (Kings)

France Louis XIV (1643-1715): aka “The Sun King” Do not copy! This is just to give you some background info for the French Revolution! Louis XIV (1643-1715): aka “The Sun King” Lived for 95 years, became King as a child. Built the Palace of Versailles Banned the Estates-General (French Parliament) Constant wars and heavy spending left France in major debt when he died.

Russia Peter the Great (1689-1725) Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Controlled the serfs (peasants) Wanted to “westernize” Russia, and improve its military, business, and science technology to make it more like Western Europe. Fought wars to expand the borders of Russia.

Russia Catherine the Great (1762-1796) Do Not Copy! Catherine the Great (1762-1796) Poisoned her husband to take the throne Thought about giving more freedom to the peasants, but after a rebellion, she changed her mind. Focused on expanding Russia’s borders.

England 1215: Magna Carta signed, limiting the power of King John. 1200’s: King Edward establishes Parliament (a group of elected representatives) to help him make laws. In the 1600’s, England’s kings struggled to hold absolute authority by getting rid of Parliament. This is known as the English Civil War. At one point during the English Civil War, the military takes control. When the king is restored to the throne, this is known as the Restoration (1660). The Glorious Revolution was a bloodless revolution where King James II’s Protestant daughter, Mary, and her husband, William, return to England to take the throne. William and Mary establish a constitutional monarchy. !

Constitutional Monarchy Example: England The king was limited in their power by the law. Establishing democracies – where people participate in govt. by having the opportunity to choose representatives to govt. Separation of Powers – govt. power is distributed to different govt. branches: judicial (courts), legislative (representative body), and executive (king).