1. Unit 1 Part 1: Characteristics of Absolutism
The Easiest and Quickest form of Government!

2. What is an Absolute Monarchy?
Form of government where the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, having total power over the state and its peoples.
Source of power: “ The Divine Right of Kings”
Mandate from God - the idea that rulers get their authority to rule from God, and are accountable only to God and not the people they rule

3. Possible Basis of “Divine Right of Kings” Romans 13:1-4
 ”Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”

4. Critical Attributes of Absolute Monarchs
Inherited position
No system of checks and balances
No separation of church and state
Control over all aspects of life (political, social and economic)

5. Absolute rulers held all the power in their countries…..
That means- -No Voting -No Term Limits -No Congress/Parliament -No Dissent Permitted - No Civil Rights – Freedom of speech, religion, travel, to assemble, to ask for change, to get rich/be poor

6. Europe in 1400-few large/powerful countries and many, many small kingdoms. Each one was fighting for more territory and influence. Religious and terrritorial conflicts led to uncertainty and war.

7. The Age of Absolute Monarchs
By the end of the Renaissance, new nations were formed in Europe
Many of these nations were ruled by powerful kings with unlimited power known as absolute monarchs
The era from to mid-1700s was known as the Age of Absolutism
How did European kings gain so much power?

8. The Rise of Absolute Monarchs
During the Middle Ages, European kings were not very powerful
Instead, feudal lords had real power because they controlled local manors & had the loyalty of knights
The Catholic Church was the dominant religion in Europe
The Pope had power over the peasants

9. The Rise of Absolute Monarchs
The Crusades stimulated trade & led to the rise of cities in Europe
This trade sparked the Renaissance & weakened the power of feudal lords
As feudalism declined, the power of kings increased

10. As feudalism declined, the power of kings increased
During the Hundred Years War, new weapons like the cannon & longbow weakened the power of the nobles & knights
As feudalism declined, the power of kings increased

12. As the power of the church declined, the power of kings increased
The power of the Catholic Church weakened as a result of the Crusades & the Protestant Reformation
As the power of the church declined, the power of kings increased

15. The Rise of Absolute Monarchs
During the Renaissance, European kings taxed merchants & bankers and used the wealth to build powerful armies
Monarchs used their power build centralized governments to control their nations
Some monarchs used overseas exploration to gain colonies and to increase their wealth & power

16. Factors that contributed to the rise of Absolute Rulers
Decline of feudalism
Growth of national kingdoms
Breakdown of Church authority
Religious and territorial conflicts
Rise of cities / growth of middle class (who needed stability)
Wealth of colonies
Revolts / economic and religious crises

17. Once in power, Absolute Monarchs….
Reduced the power of the nobles and representative bodies
Regulated worship and social gatherings
Created new government bureaucracies
Increased size of Court
Taxed merchants and bankers to raise large armies
Used overseas exploration to gain wealth and expand their power
Reduced

18. 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

19. By 1600, some European kings had become absolute monarchs
Peter the Great of Russia
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Louis XIV of France
Maria Theresa of Austria
Phillip II of Spain

21. Challenges Facing Absolute Rulers:
Controlling their populations
Expanding their Empire (or at least hold on to) their territory
To get married and have an heir (a boy baby)