Should W-L have a dress code? Or uniforms? Could Mr. Robertson just decide to force you to wear uniforms one day?

Maybe not, but today we’ll learn about one ruler who did just that during… The Age of Absolutism!

The 1600s: A Century of Crisis… Economic Woes –Inflation, Mini-Ice Age Rising population –Social unrest, disease, famine Witchcraft Hysteria Religious Warfare Into all this madness, many leaders started to assert their authority. They were called….

Absolute Monarchs No one tells them what to do….

Absolutism Political system where the monarch (king or queen) has total power Popular during the 17 th century (1600s) Characteristics: –Centralized government Controls all aspects of society from a central location or through a central system (not much local power) –Divine Right of Kings Monarchs receive their power from God, so they are only responsible to God

The Monarchy in France Henry IV Assassinated (1610) Louis XIII, his son, becomes King and begins to create an absolute monarchy (Three Musketeers) His son, Louis XIV, will become the embodiment of Absolute Monarchy and rule France for 72 years!

Louis XIV: The Sun King Versailles:

Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin were: Versailles was: Here is a description of life at Versailles:: I took many steps to strengthen my power, including: My potential enemies were the nobles. How did I keep them from challenging my authority? How did I feel about the arts? I was Catholic, and I revoked the __________________ in What happened as a result? I called myself the _____ King. Why? I once said L’etat, c’est moi, which means: I made France a strong country, but I also spent too much money on __________, which weakened the economy. LOUIS XIV: Absolute Monarch of France r Read pages to answer the questions.

Peter the Great Tsar of Russia from Fascinated by Western Europe Major goal was to modernize Russia

Peter the Great ChangesResults Culture-Forced Russia to Westernize -Men cut their beards! -Established dress codes Education-Starts new colleges Military-Builds a navy -Reorganizes army -Conquers land Church-Decreases the power of the Church Capital City-Builds St. Petersburg on the coast for easier access to Europe Why was he an absolute monarch? -Did not share power -Autocratic (only one who makes decisions) -Wrathful: He even kills his own son! What was his impact? -Mixed: Certain areas modernized, but at the expense of the large serf population

What are the benefits of absolutism? What are the limitations?

Cardinal Mazarin was: My advisor and mentor before I took the throne I built Versailles because: I wanted it to be the center of French gov. and culture Versailles was: My palace My potential enemies are: The nobles I keep them distracted by: Keeping them focused on court life in Versailles rather than on their lands or on true gov. power I am Catholic, and I revoked: The Edict of Nantes, which forced the Huguenots to leave I called myself: The Sun King I once said L’etat, c’est moi, which means: “I am the State” I took many steps to maintain absolute power: -Firing nobles from gov. jobs -Bribing local leaders -Encouraging king-worship -Banning the Huguenots -Forcing nobles to live at Versailles -Advancing France’s glory After my death, France was: In debt from my wars and my luxurious lifestyle, but also the cultural capital of Europe LOUIS XIV r

Louis XIV Skits Your group will create a brief skit about one aspect of the reign of Louis XIV Use the textbook to get background information (pages ) Your skit should –Involve all group members –Convey important and accurate information –Last 1-2 minutes

Topics: Mazarin; Louis comes to power Life at the Court of Versailles Government Religion Economy and War The Legacy of Louis XIV

Cardinal Mazarin was: I built Versailles because: Versailles was: My potential enemies are: I keep them distracted by: I am Catholic, and I revoked: I called myself: I once said L’etat, c’est moi, which means: I took many steps to maintain absolute power: After my death, France was: LOUIS XIV r

James I Becomes the English king after his cousin, Elizabeth, dies without an heir Divine right of kings –Monarchs receive their power from God, so they are only responsible to God More on James later…