7-2.1 Vocabulary Limited Government Unlimited Government Divine Right Absolutism Constitutional Monarchy
Limited Government A system of government in which the power of the ruler is limited by the people
Unlimited Government A system of government in which the power of the ruler has no limits
Divine Right The belief that a king’s authority to rule comes from God
Absolutism An extreme type of unlimited government in which the king has total power over all aspects of the people’s lives
Constitutional Monarchy A type of unlimited government in which the king’s power is limited by a constitution
Types of Governments Standard 7-2.1
1. Unlimited Government European leaders believed that an absolute monarchy with unlimited power would unify a nation and make it stronger. European monarchs believed their power came directly from God. This made them answer only to god. (Divine Right)
2. Limited Governments Some people wanted a limited government- power is restricted by the people. This is the basis of American Democracy.
3. Countries and their Governments France and Russia both ruled through a monarchy, this gave them absolute power. They limited freedoms by: Raising Taxes, Removing Parliament, and using the military to enforce their policies England’s King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215, this made the king responsible under the law.