1. The Rise of Absolute Monarchies (1400’s-1700’s)

2. First things first… What is an Absolute Monarchy? Absolute =
All Powerful
Monarch =
King or Queen
Absolute Monarch= An all-powerful king or queen
Also, kings and queens handed their power down to their children.
It was a line of succession that stayed in the family

3. Characteristics of Absolute Monarchs
It’s GREAT to be the King!
“I am the state”
They made all the laws
They were NOT subject to the laws.

4. They Ruled by “Divine Right”
They believed that they derived their right to rule directly from GOD.
Called the Divine Right of Kings
Accountable only to GOD.
Not the people!

5. Accumulated Vast Sums of Wealth
How…?
By seizing new territories in the New World and the Far East
Expanding trade overseas and within Europe
Taxing the growing wealth of their people

6. They used their wealth to build LARGE, PERMANENT ARMIES!
No more need to depend on feudal contracts with their vassals
These armies were loyal to the King, NOT to the Country!

7. They used these armies to wage war against each other of course!
NOW WHAT???
They used these armies to wage war against each other of course!

8. 100 YEARS WAR WHEN: 1337-1453 WHO: England v. France WHY: Rivals for
continental power

9. Consequences
French nationalism increased and this resulted in the power of monarch increasing
- devotion and loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism
England relied more on Parliament as the power in government; England turned to overseas exploration
the legislature of Great Britain
Knights and vassals no longer enough; need for armies

10. 30 YEARS WAR
WHEN:
WHO: All major European powers except England
WHY: Series of wars
between the princes of separate states of the
Roman Empire
(Germany) vying for
control

11. Consequences
300 recognized independent states, each determining their own religion and their own foreign policy
Ended the Holy Roman Empire
Germany not unified for another 200 years

12. WAR OF SPANISH SUCCESSION
WHEN:
WHO: England v. France
WHY: England wanted to prevent Spain and France from uniting and increasing the size of their empire after French King Louis XIV’s grandson inherited the throne of Spain.

13. Consequence
France tired of fighting and agreed never to unite with Spain.

14. Assignment – compare and contrast the wars!