1. Absolute Monarchy In this unit you will
Compare/contrast 4 forms of government
Analyze the characteristics of an absolute monarch

2. What is an absolute monarch?
Rule by ONE PERSON—a monarch, usually a king or a queen—whose actions are restricted neither by written law nor by custom.
Absolute monarchy persisted in France until 1789 and in Russia until 1917.
Today only Swaziland and the Vatican are absolute monarchies

3. A monarchy, (from the Greek "monos arkhein" -- "one ruler") is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State.
The position of monarch often involves inheritance in some form.
Monarchy
Henry VIII of England

4. Characteristics of an Absolute Monarch
Ruled by one person
Rule is Hereditary or passed down through the family
Actions are not restricted by written law or custom
They believe their authority to rule comes from god

5. Dictatorship A DICTATORSHIP is a government headed by a dictator.
It is often equivalent to a police state, but the term "dictatorship" refers to the way the leader gains and holds power, not the watch kept on the citizens.
Some dictators have been popular enough not to have to employ many very oppressive measures. Examples: Julius Caesar & Adolph Hitler
Dictatorship

6. Characteristics of a Dictatorship
Rule by one person or one party
Gains or holds power through force
Have to follow the rules that they create
4. Often is a Police State

7. Constitutional Monarchy
A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges hereditary or elected monarch as head of state.
Though the king or queen may be regarded as the government's symbolic head, it is the Prime Minister who actually governs the country. For example: Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Constitutional Monarchy

8. Characteristics of a Constitutional Monarchy
Monarch shares power with a Parliament or Legislative body
Rule is Hereditary or passed down through the family
Actions are restricted / limited by a constitution or law
A Constitutional Monarchy’s authority comes from tradition and law

9. Rise of Absolutism Absolute Monarch Rise of cities Wealth of colonies
Growth of national kingdoms
Breakdown of Church authority
Growth of middle class
Decline of feudalism
Economic and religious crises
Revolts
Reduced power of nobles and representative bodies
Created new government bureaucracies
Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy
Increased size of court

10. One theme = CONTROL!!! Control the government Control the nobility
-Centralize & create bureaucracies
-Reduce power of representative bodies
Control the nobility
-Increase size of court; regulate social gatherings
-Reduce nobles’ power in the government
Control economics
-Great works
-Economic policies centralized
Control power
-Divine right & regulate religion

11. Example: Louis the XIV 1638-1715
Intendants
Government agents who collected taxes and administered justice (like FBI). They were under Louis’ control only and kept the gov’t centrally controlled.
Sun King Court
Louis required all nobles to stay at Versailles with him and attend his daily routine. That meant being in his chambers when he rose and went to bed as well as attending meals. Louis was the sun king because everything revolved around him.
Divine Right
“The sovereign power of government should be proportionate to its mandate, and in the station he occupies in the body of human society that makes up the state, he who is the head should hold the place of God. For since God is the only natural sovereign of men, their judge, their lawgiver, their king, no man can have lawful authority over others unless he holds it from the hand of God .... The power of sovereigns being thus derived from the authority of God, it acts as the arm and force of the justice that should be the soul of government; and that justice alone has the natural claim to rule the minds and hearts of men, for it is over these two faculties of men that justice should reign.” –Jean Domat, Jurist
Economics & Jean Baptiste Colbert
Tariffs, expand manufacturing, fur trade

13. Royal Gardens

15. Hall of Mirrors

17. Hall of Battles

19. Royal Bedroom (King’s Chambers)
One of several

20. Furniture

21. Louis as Apollo

22. Louis as Cavalier

23. Louis as Sun King

24. Other Absolute Monarchs in Europe 1500-1800
Phillip II of Spain
Maria Theresa of Austria
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Peter the Great of Russia
Catherine the Great of Russia