1. Constraints on absolute power

2. Internal Pressures for Reform - Britain: Corrupt electoral process John Wilkes (1727-97) 1760s and 1770s Calls for parliamentary reform in Britain

3. Internal Pressures for Reform - France: Conflict over parlements Involvement of Jansenists Question of taxation Protests at abolition of parlements Map Link: Parlements of France: <http://upload.wikimedia.org/http://upload.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/commons/a/ad/ Provinces_of_France.pngProvinces_of_France.png>.

4. Role of Public Opinion: Wilkes as popular hero in Britain Public support of parlements in France Governments having to pay attention

5. External Constraints – Balance of Power: Map Link: Europe, 1748-66: <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/ Europe_1748-1766_en.pngEurope_1748-1766_en.png>.

6. External Constraints - Ottoman Empire: Map Link: Ottoman Empire, 1481-1683: <http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/ ottoman_empire_1481-1683.jpgottoman_empire_1481-1683.jpg>

7. External Constraints - Ottoman Empire: 17th-18th c. Start of the decline of the Ottoman Empire Military defeats Lagging military technology

8. External Constraints - Britain and America: 1773 Boston Tea Party 1774 Quebec Act 1775 Start of American Revolution Map Link: British Colonies in North America: <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/ British_colonies_1763-76_shepherd1923.PNGBritish_colonies_1763-76_shepherd1923.PNG>

9. External Constraints - Britain and America: 4th July 1776 Declaration of Independence “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” International involvement 1783 Britain recognises American independence. Subsequently reviews relations with other territories

10. Summing Up – Limitations on Power: Internal limits Influence of public opinion External limits from other powers External limits from parts of own empires

11. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) English-American writer, political activist, revolutionary Common Sense (1776)