ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

Absolute Monarchy A government system where a leader has total, or near total, control of a country’s money and laws.

Absolute Monarchy before 1600 A King or Queen had a lot of power, but it was limited by the following things…

The Catholic Church

Kingdoms were small and disorganized

The power of the nobility

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchs Did not have a single strong advisor

Believed they got their power directly from God –The “divine right of kings”

Impacts of Absolute Rulers Positive – Helped countries grow and gain strength

Negative – Restricted rights of individual people

Louis XIV (the fourteenth)

The Sun King “I am the state”

Louis XIV King of France from 1643 to 1715 –Began to rule at the age of nine –Perhaps the best example of an absolute ruler

Louis’ Governing Style In his early life, government was controlled by Jules Mazarin Louis wanted to maintain control for himself –He distrusted nobles

Controlled government through taxes and finance

Versailles

Louis XIV’s palace outside of Paris –Louis wanted to be away from the center of government –Made nobles come to him to get favors

Was adding to it throughout his entire life Purpose was to inspire awe

The Hall of Mirrors

Versailles (con’t) Louis invited nobles to Versailles to act as his servants They would perform simple chores in order to gain favor from the king –For example, one would put on his shoes, two would help him put on his coat, another would cut his steak, etc. –Louis used these favors to control the nobility

Reign of Louis XIV Louis increased the power, wealth and size of France He began to appoint commoners to positions of power, based on ability –He knew they wouldn’t backstab him

Impacts of Louis XIV’s reign Positive –Power and size of France increases –France becomes a legitimate world power

Impacts of Louis XIV’s reign Negative –Wars with neighbors left France nearly bankrupt –Shows of lavish wealth begin to drive a wedge between the nobles and the common people

Upon his death, he told his heir "Do not follow the bad example which I have set you; I have often undertaken war too lightly and have sustained it for vanity. Do not imitate me, but be a peaceful prince, and may you apply yourself principally to the alleviation of the burdens of your subjects".

Peter the Great

Czar of Russia from –Czar – “emperor”

Russia before Peter’s rule Russia was weak, poor and “backwards” compared to other European nations The Russian Orthodox Church had a great deal of power

The Russian Orthodox Church

Peter’s control of the church Peter managed to remove the leader of the Orthodox Church from power He replaced him with a group of several leaders, all of whom reported to Peter

The Majority of Russians Poor Serfs Serf – peasant Did not own the land they worked on They were basically slaves

Peter’s Rule Peter was an able leader He had military experience, was not afraid of physical labor, and was very energetic. He was 6’8” and very muscular, so his mere size made many people follow him

Peter’s Rule He took a trip through Europe where he visited England, the Netherlands and Austria. He realized how weak Russia was compared to other European nations and wanted to fix this.

Westernization Peter wanted to strengthen Russia, so he invited the best merchants, lawyers, military experts, shipbuilders, etc.

He also required his nobles to dress in western clothes and get western educations

Example – the beard tax

St. Petersburg Peter moved the capital from Moscow to Saint Petersburg The move made the capital closer to European capitals Great public works projects to give people jobs

Military With the aid of European experts, Peter rebuilt the Russian army and navy To give them a test run, he fought a war with Sweden from –Sweden was a powerful country during that period

Peter’s personality problems Would often go to church drunk

Had his servants compete in war games using live ammunition

Thought that his son was plotting against him, so he tortured him personally, and then had him killed.

Positive Impacts of Peter’s Rule Russia gained territory Russia got a strong military Russians began to catch up to Europe in technology and learning –“Westernization”

Negative Impacts of Peter’s Rule Abuse of power caused many people to dislike the czars and other nobility Country spent lots of money to westernize and on wars with Sweden Imposed heavy taxes which caused serfs to revolt

Frederick the Great Ruler of Prussia from Prussia is where modern Germany and Poland are

Frederick’s Early Life Prussia was sandwiched between France, Austria, Russia and Sweden.

Frederick’s father realized that Prussia needed to be strong in order to survive –He pushed Frederick away from philosophy and the arts and imposed military discipline on him

Frederick’s Methods Trained, organized and equipped his army very well He would often personally lead them in battle

Seven Year’s War ( ) Frederick expanded Prussia’s land holdings Fought against France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony and Russia and won –Only had England to help them

Positive Impacts of Frederick’s Rule Strengthened Prussia’s military Increased land holdings Opened schools for common people Supported religious toleration

Enlightened Despot

Negative Impact of Frederick’s Rule Prussia angered many of its neighbors Expanded their territory to the point where it was hard to defend

Maria Theresa

Duchess of Austria from

Her father, Charles VI of Austria, made Maria Theresa the heir to the throne after his only son died.

When Charles died in 1740, Maria Theresa took over the throne, but did not pass on power to her husband, as intended.

The War of the Austrian Succession was fought from Involved most of the major countries in Europe.

Style of Rule Had to compromise a lot because she was a woman ruling in a time of male rulers.

Increased the size of the army Streamlined government

Accomplishments Public education Military academy Reformed serf system

Had 16 children –Would later become the ruling elite of many of Europe’s kingdoms

Problems encountered Spent large amounts of money on wars Angered many neighbors