themselves as English or French. Feudalism was based on the holding of land. People were loyal to lords. Though people in a similar region spoke the same language, they did not think of themselves as English or French.

It was not until the idea of nationalism developed that people began to think of themselves as members of a nation- state. With nationalism, people are loyal to their country or nation. Nationalism began in the eleventh century when England became a nation.

Absolute monarchs or kings and queens with complete power eventually destroyed the old feudal system and took complete control over their subjects. A central government replaced the powerful lords of the Middle Ages.

It is important to remember that the feudal system was decentralized because there were many powerful lords, each with his own rules. A centralized government is more stable because law and order comes from one person or one group of people.

away from the Roman Catholic Absolute monarchs seized absolute control of every aspect of life in their respective countries. They even took power away from the Roman Catholic Church.

Queen Elizabeth I of England was an absolute monarch.

Peter the Great, the Tsar of Russia, and King Louis XIV of France were also absolute monarchs.

During the Middle Ages, the Pope had been the strongest authority in Western Europe.

Under absolutism, monarchs or kings challenged the pope’s political power, wealth, and land.

Absolute monarchs believed that their power came from God. They believed that their decisions could not be questioned. They believed in Divine Right Theory. Divine Right Theory was the belief that a monarch’s power came from God.

Absolute monarchs frequently came into conflict with one another as they sought to expand their territory

As one absolute ruler said, “I am the state.” With absolutism and the rise of nation-states, a new era in world history began.

As the era of the feudal knight ended, the rise of the national army began.

Questions: How did nationalism differ from feudalism? Define absolutism. Provide examples of absolute monarchs. How did absolute monarchs govern? Define Divine Right Theory. Why did absolutism and divine right theory encourage the rise of nation-states? Why is a centralized government stable?