Absolutism + Enlightenment Lesson 2: Absolute Rulers

bellwork “The royal power is absolute…The prince need render account of his acts to no one...Without this absolute authority [he] could neither do good nor repress evil. It is necessary that his power be such that no one can hope to escape him...The prince...is not regarded as a prviate person: he is a public personage, all the state is in him; the will of all the people is included in his. As all perfection and all stregnth are united in God, so all the power of individuals is united in the person of the prince.” “Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Scripture” Bishop Jacques benigne Bossuet According to Bousset, what is the role of a king?

The Age of Absolutism

Louis XVI: What is this picture trying to convey to the observer Louis XVI: What is this picture trying to convey to the observer? What do you see? How does it convey power?

Terms to Understand Divine Right Absolute Monarchy Monarch The belief that God chose a ruler to rule. Absolute Monarchy A monarch who has unquestioned, absolute rule and power. Monarch A ruler who is part of a ruling family that passes down power from generation to generation Balance of Power Countries have equal strength in order to prevent any one country from dominating the others.

Phillip ii Spain Absolute Rule Successes Failures Focused on religious unity (Roman Catholic) Successes Boosted economy—silver/money from colonies in America Failures Picked a fight with Elizabeth I (Great Britain) who was Protestant

Louis xiv France Phillip II’s grandson #sassy France Phillip II’s grandson Epitome (typical example) of absolute rulers Absolute Rule “Sun King” Used military to enforce his rules

Peter the great Russia Absolute Rule Successes Failures Autocratic ν ruler Successes Improved education Improved infrastructure + trade Built mighty military Failures Strengthened feudalism Western reforms faded after his death

Catherine the great Russia Absolute Rule Successes Failures Western influence Controlled law/education Successes Codified the law Required education Failures Husband’s murder + her affairs Sought to expand borders

Louis xiv Successes Failures Versailles: used it to woo nobility Mercantilist economy Failures Wars  debt Religious persecution against Protestants

England Queen Elizabeth of England produced no children, so the crown of England passed to James I, a Stuart (Scottish) Parliament was the government body made up of representatives who advised the king or queen on how to run the country James would struggle with Parliament to take more power

James of Scotland James asserted his authority over the government, and this led to conflict with Parliament James believed in the principle of divine right – God made him king He spent lavishly on his lifestyle, and ran up England’s expenses Also ended a war with Spain that forced England to pay war reparations to Spain

Absolute monarchies with centralized governments began to rise to power in Europe. The dominant forces in Europe were England, France, Prussia, Austria, and Russia. Religious divisions were evident Protestants (England + Prussia), Catholics (France + Austria), and Eastern Orthodox Christianity (Russia). Competitions formed between certain nations. - England v. France- in the new world -Prussia v. Austria over the German States Alliances were formed between these powers constantly to preserve a balance of power in Europe. These alliances would also shift depending on the goals of the leaders involved.

Louis xiv quote “The head alone has the right to deliberate and decide, and the functions of all the other members consist only in carrying out the commands given to them... The more you grant... [to the assembled people], the more it claims.. The interest of the state must come first.” Q: Why does Louis XIV say that absolute rule is necessary? Think and share with partner