Lesson #2 - Absolute Rulers

50 Cent’s House

palace- palace-

Part II- Access Notes Characteristics of absolute monarchs Divine rightDivine right Centralization of powerCentralization of power No system of checks and balancesNo system of checks and balances

Part III – Absolute monarchs?

Louis XIV of France ( ) Sun King…why?Sun King…why? “I am the State”“I am the State” –“L'État, c'est moi” Claimed divine rightClaimed divine right

Policies Followed policies of RichelieuFollowed policies of Richelieu –Destroy power of nobles and Huguenots Expanded the bureaucracyExpanded the bureaucracy –Intendants collected taxes, recruited soldiers, carried out his policies Strongest army in EuropeStrongest army in Europe

Economy Jean Baptiste Colbert (finance minister)Jean Baptiste Colbert (finance minister) Mercantilist policiesMercantilist policies –High tariffs on imports –Encouraged overseas colonies –Regulated trade But, guess what? Louis XIV was often short of cash! Why?But, guess what? Louis XIV was often short of cash! Why?

Versailles Versailles was a palace that became a symbol of royal power.

Peter the Great, Ruler of Russia ( )

Westernization of Russia In 1697, Peter I walked the streets of European cities, noting the manners and homes of the people.In 1697, Peter I walked the streets of European cities, noting the manners and homes of the people. The adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture.The adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture.

Westernization of Russia Beards were cutBeards were cut ClothingClothing Arranged marriages endedArranged marriages ended

How was Peter the Great absolute? Strengthen the militaryStrengthen the military Expand Russian bordersExpand Russian borders Centralize royal powerCentralize royal power

Policies Improved educationImproved education –Simplified Russian alphabet –Set up academies for math, science, engineering Mercantilist policiesMercantilist policies –Encouraged exports –Ended isolation Created a mighty navyCreated a mighty navy Used terrorUsed terror

Peter the Great Peter the Great

Louis XIV vs. Peter the Great Who was more absolute?Who was more absolute? Think about this in terms of divine right, the centralization of power, and no checks and balances on power.Think about this in terms of divine right, the centralization of power, and no checks and balances on power.

Phone Policy Change -History Flex Space

English Civil War and Glorious Revolution

What rights do we have today? Write down any rights that you know of which are guaranteed by our Constitution Please list the ones you know…one of them you practice on a daily basis. Sometimes too much…and it makes kitty sad.

In an absolute monarchy, all power is centralized within one person Based on its name, what do you think the definition is of a limited or constitutional monarchy?

England: The Road to Constitutionalism Time Line How does England become a constitutional or limited monarchy?

Early foundations of English rights Magna Carta: limited power of the King and proclaimed certain liberties (1215 CE)Magna Carta: limited power of the King and proclaimed certain liberties (1215 CE)

Early foundations of English rights Jury trial: right to a trial with the outcome decided by a juryJury trial: right to a trial with the outcome decided by a jury Common law: precedents bind future decisionsCommon law: precedents bind future decisions

Elizabeth I died without a Tudor heir in James I, the first Stuart monarch, took the throne. Stuart family does not work well with Parliament

Charles I inherits the throne. -behaved like an absolute monarch -imprisoned his foes without a trial and taxed heavily.

Charles I dissolves Parliament. He ruled without them for 11 years! He thought he should be able to tax the people without Parliament’s approval.

English Civil War Development of political factions: cavaliers vs. roundheadsDevelopment of political factions: cavaliers vs. roundheads Supporters of King Charles I vs. supporters of ParliamentSupporters of King Charles I vs. supporters of Parliament

Charles I is executed Charles I loses and is tried and executed by Parliament. It’s the first time a king had ever been tried and put to death by his own people.Charles I loses and is tried and executed by Parliament. It’s the first time a king had ever been tried and put to death by his own people.

Oliver Cromwell becomes ruler as Lord Protector of England

Oliver Cromwell Supposed to be a “republic.”Supposed to be a “republic.” Took the title Lord ProtectorTook the title Lord Protector Actually a dictatorshipActually a dictatorship Strict Puritanical ruleStrict Puritanical rule –Theatres closed –Dancing prohibited –Shut down taverns Theater Dancing Taverns Gambling

Restoration of Charles II He was wildly popular and returned to cheering crowds…why do you think this was? But, he had Catholic sympathies.

James II inherits the throne Flaunts his Catholic faith He appointed Catholics to high level offices. Why would Parliament not like this? What would you do if you were a parliamentary leader?

The Glorious Revolution Parliamentary leaders invited William of Orange and his wife, Mary (Protestant daughter of James II) to claim the throne.Parliamentary leaders invited William of Orange and his wife, Mary (Protestant daughter of James II) to claim the throne. –Ever heard of the College of William and Mary? Arrived with their armies and James II fled.Arrived with their armies and James II fled. Glorious Revolution refers to the bloodless overthrow of James II by William and Mary.Glorious Revolution refers to the bloodless overthrow of James II by William and Mary.

William and Mary had to accept this document…what is it?

The English Bill of Rights of 1689 Strengthened the power of Parliament over the power of the king.Strengthened the power of Parliament over the power of the king. It was like the American Bill of Rights in that it:It was like the American Bill of Rights in that it: –Prohibited excessive fines and cruel punishments –Allowed for freedom of speech and petition –Restated traditional rights trial by jurytrial by jury