1. The Easiest and Quickest form of Government!
Absolutism
The Easiest and Quickest form of Government!

2. Absolute rulers held all the power in their countries
That meant- -No Voting -No Term Limits -No Congress/Parliament -No Dissent Permitted

3. People had no Civil Rights, which include:
-Freedom of Religion -Freedom of Speech -Freedom to Travel -Freedom to get together with people -Freedom to ask for change -Freedom to get rich/be poor
-it is important to remember that not all rulers controlled all these aspects of their people’s lives, but they had the power if they so chose

4. What factors contributed to the rise of Absolute Rulers?
religious and territorial conflicts lead to uncertainty and war

5. Europe in 1400-few large/powerful countries and many, many small kingdoms. Each one was fighting for more territory and influence.

6. Armies got much larger (because of the conflicts)
Since armies are super expensive, rulers had to raise taxes
People didn’t (and still don’t) like to pay taxes
Rulers had to use force to get people to pay their taxes
The people like force less then taxes

7. Church Authority was breaking down, allowing the monarchs to take over
Monarchs were backed by the small, but growing middle class because stability is good for business

8. Most of Europe had Absolute Rulers
France
Spain
Russia
The German Kingdoms
Portugal
Austria
Which major European power is missing? ENGLAND

9. Absolute Rulers all had to:
Control their populations
Expand (or at least hold on to) their territory
Get married and have an heir (a boy baby)