AGE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

Characteristics of Absolutism Empire expansion Empire expansion Centralization of power Centralization of power Establishment of elaborate administrative institutions Establishment of elaborate administrative institutions Control of church/religion Control of church/religion Monument construction Monument construction Claim of Divine Right Claim of Divine Right

Long-Term Causes of Absolutism Decline of feudalism Decline of feudalism Rise of cities and growth of middle class Rise of cities and growth of middle class Growth of national kingdoms Growth of national kingdoms Loss of Church authority Loss of Church authority

Immediate Causes of Absolutism Religious and territorial conflicts Religious and territorial conflicts Buildup of armies Buildup of armies Need for increased taxes Need for increased taxes Revolts by peasants or nobles Revolts by peasants or nobles

Western Europe Absolutism easier here – why? Absolutism easier here – why? Divine right easier here – why? Divine right easier here – why? Crises in Europe fuel the growth of absolute rule – why? Crises in Europe fuel the growth of absolute rule – why? Examples: Spain, France Examples: Spain, France

Central and Eastern Europe More slowly than in western Europe – why? More slowly than in western Europe – why? Nobles hold down serfs and block the development of strong kings Nobles hold down serfs and block the development of strong kings Holy Roman Empire loses strength, but Austria remains powerful Holy Roman Empire loses strength, but Austria remains powerful Enlightened despots Enlightened despots

Russia Czars try to strengthen the state and reduce the power of the boyars (nobles) Czars try to strengthen the state and reduce the power of the boyars (nobles) Russia is still a land of nobles and serfs, isolated and backward. Russia is still a land of nobles and serfs, isolated and backward. Some czars want to westernize Russia so it can compete with western Europe. Some czars want to westernize Russia so it can compete with western Europe.

England English kings clash with Parliament over money and power. English kings clash with Parliament over money and power. English Civil War English Civil War Cromwell’s Commonwealth & Dictatorship Cromwell’s Commonwealth & Dictatorship Restoration of the Monarchy Restoration of the Monarchy Glorious Revolution brings political changes to England Glorious Revolution brings political changes to England

Immediate Effects of Absolutism Regulation of religion and society Regulation of religion and society Larger courts Larger courts Huge building projects Huge building projects New government bureaucracies New government bureaucracies Loss of power by nobility and legislatures Loss of power by nobility and legislatures

Long-Term Effects of Absolutism Revolution in France Revolution in France Western European influence on Russia Western European influence on Russia English political reforms that influence U.S. democracy English political reforms that influence U.S. democracy

Something to think about… "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.“ "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.“ This is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887: This is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887: