Setting the Stage for Revolution: Absolute Monarchies Background England France Other Nations

Definitions 1. Divine Right: Belief that a ruler’s authority comes directly from God. 2. Absolute Monarch: Ruler with complete authority over the government and lives of the people he or she governs.

Absolute Monarchies in Europe SpainSpain King PhillipKing Phillip FranceFrance King LouisKing Louis EnglandEngland King HenryKing Henry RussiaRussia Czar CatherineCzar Catherine

Absolute Monarchies in Europe From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

Magna Carta In 1215, Prince John was forced to sign the Magna Carta Effect: Kings limited by the law

England Ruled by both a monarch and parliament Parliament consists of nobles and elected commoners

Elizabeth I Ruler of England for a half centuryRuler of England for a half century Stabilized the nation and expanded British territoryStabilized the nation and expanded British territory Never marriedNever married Argued with parliament constantlyArgued with parliament constantly

Elizabethan England Crowded cities with open sewers Spread of Puritanism William Shakespeare (queen loved plays) Rich had houses with hundreds of servants Poor often couldn’t find enough to eat

Elizabethan England Defeat of world’s best navy: The Spanish Armada Established British East India Company Colonization of North America Died without an heir

England – James I Became James I of England when Elizabeth I died.Became James I of England when Elizabeth I died. Had Bible translated from Latin into EnglishHad Bible translated from Latin into English

Charles I Dissolved Parliament in 1629Dissolved Parliament in 1629 Touched off a massive English Civil War between supporters of Charles and supporters of Parliament led by Oliver CromwellTouched off a massive English Civil War between supporters of Charles and supporters of Parliament led by Oliver Cromwell English Civil War English Civil War Charles I beheaded in 1649Charles I beheaded in 1649

Oliver Cromwell Title: Lord ProtectorTitle: Lord Protector Exiled Catholics to IrelandExiled Catholics to Ireland Strict Puritan laws passed –Strict Puritan laws passed – Theaters closedTheaters closed Sunday set aside for worshipSunday set aside for worship No dancingNo dancing No tavernsNo taverns No gamblingNo gambling

The Restoration People hated Cromwell, wanted a king backPeople hated Cromwell, wanted a king back Monarchy restored – Hence: RestorationMonarchy restored – Hence: RestorationRestoration King had to follow the wishes of ParliamentKing had to follow the wishes of Parliament Had to agree to a Bill of RightsHad to agree to a Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights 1.Freedom from royal interference with the law (the Sovereign was forbidden to establish his own courts or to act as a judge himself) 2.Freedom from taxation by royal prerogative, without agreement by Parliament 3.Freedom to petition the King 4.Freedom from a peace-time standing army, without agreement by Parliament 5.Freedom [for Protestants] to have arms for defense, as allowed by law 6.Freedom to elect members of Parliament without interference from the Sovereign 7.The freedom of speech in Parliament, in that proceedings in Parliament were not to be questioned in the courts or in any body outside Parliament itself (the basis of modern parliamentary privilege) 8.Freedom from cruel and unusual punishments, and excessive bail 9.Freedom from fines and forfeitures without trial

The Philosophy Advances Thomas Hobbes Wrote The Leviathan in 1651 Social Contract Theory People first lived in anarchy Lots of freedom, no safety Social Contract between people and government – give up freedom for more safety Was actually Anti--Democracy

The Philosophy Advances John Locke 1690 Added to Social Contract Theory Kept the right to: - Live - Enjoy Liberty - Own Property Rulers who violated these rights broke the social contract and could be overthrown.

The Philosophy Advances Voltaire 1740 The Spirit of the Laws Separation of powers - Legislative - Executive - Judicial This would soon become the basis of the US Constitution in 1781

France – Louis XIV Ruled  Ruled 72 years  Called himself the Sun King Sun KingSun King  Believed in divine right. “L’etat, c’est moi.” I am the state  Made France the envy of all Europe  Spent money like it was going out of style

France Fights in 2 Costly Wars France looses the Seven Years War A world war verses Great Britain Very Costly!!! We call this war The French And Indian War France helps the United States Win its independence Holds a Grudge against Great Britain If not for France there would be no United States VERY VERY COSTLY!!!!!!!!!!

Effects of American Involvement France helps Americans Puts France into deep debt How does a government pay off debt? TAXES Who does taxes hurt the most? Common People

Back in France And fast forward

The Three Estates First Estate - Clergy Second Estate - Nobility Third Estate - Bourgeoisie (middle class) and Everyone else - 98% of the population First two estates make up 2% of the population, but own more than 1/3 of the land.

Estates General The Nobility of France had gotten power back New Govt. based on the Three Estates The 1 st and 2 nd Estates had more power in it that the 3 rd Estate What Estate was the majority of the French people?

Ripe for Revolt Louis XVI gathers the Estates General to ask for higher taxes Nobles and clergy vote to put all the tax on the bourgeoisie The people revolt – declare a “National Assembly” – a representative government

The Tennis Court Oath Wrote the New French Constitution

The French Revolution July 14 th, 1789: The people of Paris storm the Bastille (a prison used to store weapons) Mob executes the mayor and parade around the city with his head on a pole Nobles and clergy were attacked, feudalism was abolished “Liberte, Egalite, Fraterinte!”

The Reign of Terror Nobles fled to other countries Other monarchies, fearing the spread of revolution, attack France. Radicals take control of the revolution and begin executing anyone considered to be against the revolution. King, Queen, and 40,000 others die at the guillotine