Absolute Monarchy Objective: Identify what factors allowed absolute monarchs to gain power in Europe.

Factors leading to Absolute Monarchs Crusades killed many feudal lords Rising middle class supported monarch to protect property and trade Reformation gave powers formerly held by Catholic Church Spirit of nationalism made monarch a symbol of unity

Divine Right King ruled by God’s authority Obedience to king was obedience to God King could do no wrong

Rise of the Nation-State Began when a strong ruler expanded control to a larger area Eventually, monarch rule free from external political or religious control In England and France the monarch united people of a common nationality (similar language, customs, history) People transferred loyalty from local lord to monarch & nation

Case Study: Absolute Monarchy France Louis XIV (Bourbon Dynasty) 1638-1715 Most powerful monarch in French history Dissenters and critics were punished Interfered in economic and religious lives of his subjects Demanded the Huguenots (French Protestants) convert to Catholicism or leave Built magnificent Palace of Versailles

Palace of Versailles Cost of palace weakened French finances Became ideal of European royalty French became language of diplomacy throughout Europe

Jean Colbert Louis XIV’s most outstanding financial advisor Promoted Mercantilism: economic system based on idea that a country’s wealth is measured by amt. of gold & silver it has Caused gov’t interference in nation’s industry & trade

Conclusion Louis XIV involved France in series of wars to expand French Frontier In the end, his aggressive actions served to unite rest of Europe against France France was left bankrupt & exhausted

England: A Case Study in Limited Monarchy Monarchs not able to establish absolute rule Middle Ages: strong checks placed on king’s authority King John (1167-1216) – heavy taxes & abuses of power Nobles and church threatened civil war and forced him to sign the Magna Carta

Magna Carta “Great Charter” (Latin) Trial by jury for all freemen (small number in 1215) Right to a trial King can not levy taxes without agreement of people Power of the law is greater than the power of the king Considered the cornerstone of English democracy and later became basis for English political liberties

The Tudor Dynasty: ‘Almost’ Absolute Monarchy Henry VIII (1491-1547)- broke with church because Pope refused to grant him a divorce to Spanish wife: Catherine of Aragon Induced parliament to pass “Act of Supremacy” which instituted independent Anglican Church of England with king as religious leader Married Anne Boleyn, their daughter later became Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I Queen of England (1558-1603) Encouraged trade, art, & literature Transformed England into leading world power Preserved Protestantism in England

Key Difference in England Legislative Assembly : Parliament made up of House of Lords and House of Commons Tudors in England allowed the English parliament to retain its powers to make laws and levy taxes Henry VIII & daughter Elizabeth I were almost absolute rulers because they controlled parliament with persuasion, flattery, bribery, or bullying

Absolute Monarchy: A Summary Strengths Weaknesses Weakened forces that tended to disunite a country Provided strong central government Furthered the growth of national states One nation’s welfare was dependent on one person Often sacrificed national interest for king’s personal interest Countless wars Disregarded needs of common people