Absolute Monarchies Ms. Doyle – Unit 5

The Age of Absolutism A period from 1648 to 1763 when European monarchs began to create powerful nations that placed unlimited power in the hands of the king and his/her advisors

What is an Absolute Monarch? European kings had very little power during the Middle Ages but slowly gained power during the Renaissance Eventually, the kings in Spain, France, Russia, Austria, & Prussia had complete control over the lords & commoners in their nation

Middle Ages (500-1300) During the Middle Ages, Feudalism was very important: Feudalism divided society into clear classes (You’re either a poor peasant, a noble, or a monarch & there was little chance to move up) Feudalism provided order & protection for the common peasants

Middle Ages 500-1300 In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had unquestioned power Almost everyone was Catholic in Europe so the pope served almost like a king The church controlled peoples’ actions because church leaders controlled access into heaven & could excommunicate people

Renaissance 1300-1600 But the Crusades, Black Death, & 100 Years War weakened the power of feudal lords In the Renaissance, kings gained power & began to form nations as trade increased, people moved to cities, a new middle was class formed, & mercantilism gave wealthy kings lots of power

Protestant Reformation 1517-1550 Protestant Reformation (1517-1550) the Reformation, critics like Martin Luther, John Calvin, & Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church This weakened the power of the church & the Pope

Age of Absolutism 1648-1763 When feudal lords & the pope lost power, someone had to step up & lead the people People looked to their new wealthy kings to create a sense of order & act as figures of authority As a result of this need, monarchs were able gain almost absolute (unlimited) power

Age of Absolutism 1648-1763 Monarchs justified their right to have absolute power by using the idea of divine right—kings get right their powers from God, not the people or a parliament

Age of Absolutism 1648-1763 European kings were afraid one nation would become too strong & conquer the others; So they tried to keep a balance of power As a result, lots of wars were fought during this time period

Absolute Monarchs Phillip II Louis XIV Peter the Great Maria Theresa Frederick II (Frederick the Great)

Absolute Monarchs Somebody… (name of Monarch) Wanted… (what did they fight for? What did they want?) But … (what happened instead? Consequence?) So… (what happened after? Results?)