Political Consolidation of European Leaders The Age of Absolute Monarchs 1500-1800

Absolutism Absolutism is a style of governing where the ruler, or monarch, had absolute power over their subjects. These rulers viewed themselves as above all power from within the state itself. Absolute rulers affected the lives of more people than ever before through taxation, and military service.

Absolutism in Practice Absolute rulers negotiated with nobles to secure their allegiances. Absolute monarchs extended their authority by expanding the structure of the state. State aperatuses were led by nobles loyal to the monarch Rulers expanded standing armies and waged war at unprecedented rates. Size of Euro armies, pg 267 Merriman Absolute monarchs asserted their authority in matters of religion as well.

Phillip II Philip II was the ruler during Spain’s golden age. Sixteenth Century Philip II held lands throughout Europe, Asian, Africa and the Americas.

Louis XIV The French absolute monarch during the second half of the Seventeenth Century. He launched wars which expanded French territory. He stamped out Protestantism in France. France was the major European power in this era.

Fredrick William and Fredrick II Absolute Monarchs of Prussia. King Frederick felt, like other absolute monarchs, that his rule was ordained by god and was an extremely strict ruler. Priorities included strengthening the royal administration and enlarging the army. Frederick II used the army that his father built and begun the War of Austrian Succession which dragged most of Europe into war. These monarchs are credited with the rise of Prussia as a power in Europe.

Peter I Peter the Great consolidated power in Russia during the seventeenth century and built an economy and military based off of what he had learned in western Europe. He also reformed the Russian Orthodox Church, doing away with office of patriarch, who were a check to the Russian tsars.

The Age of Absolute Monarchs Handout Analyze the chart and answer the questions on the back.