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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Gardens

Hall of Mirrors

Hall of Battles

Royal Bedroom (King’s Chambers) One of several

Furniture

Louis as Apollo

Louis as Cavalier

Louis as Sun King

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