1. ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES
AIM: How did absolute monarchies gain, maintain, and consolidate power?

2. DO NOW: What is an absolute monarchy
DO NOW: What is an absolute monarchy? Read the information below and respond to prompts a and b.
absolute
mon-/mono-
-archy
complete or total
one
form of government
Absolute monarchy = system of government where one person has absolute control
Absolute monarch or an autocrat = person who rules an absolute monarchy (monarch, king, prince, etc.)
Absolutism = belief in the system of one ruler having absolute control
What questions do you have about how an absolute monarchy works?
List any examples you can think of an absolute Monarchy

3. Use the image below to answer the following questions on how monarchs GAIN/CONSOLIDATE power:

4. . “The ruler circumvents, ignores, or uses assemblies to rubber stamp the ruler’s initiative.” Why would an absolute monarch ignore getting approval on initiatives and laws?
In order to ____________________ power an absolute monarch ignores getting approval on initiatives and laws because

5. “The ruler limits or controls the power of the nobles” Why would an absolute monarch focus his energy on controlling this class of people?
In order to ____________________ power an absolute monarch controls/limits the power of
the nobles because

6. HOW CAN A MONARCH GAIN POWER?
DIVINE RIGHT is the belief that an absolute monarch’s authority to rule came directly from God.
Since the king received his authority to rule directly from God, this meant:
The king has the 'right' to rule completely and totally without approval from the people
The king is God’s representative on earth
Only God can judge the king

7. “The King is from God and the law is from the King” – James I
Based on Divine Right, King James I words, and the picture (left) why might people be more likely to follow the King’s laws?
In order to ______________ power an absolute monarch

8. Queen Elizabeth I – GAIN/MAINTAIN/CONSOLIDATE POWER
DIRECTIONS: READ ABOUT QUEEN ELIZABETH I’S ACTIONS (CHOOSE 2- 3) DETERMINE IF THEY HELPED HER GAIN, MAINTAIN, OR CONSOLIDATE POWER EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER

9. RELIGION
When Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, was ruling England, she made it a Catholic country. Mary punished people for not being Catholic. They were burned and killed. When Elizabeth became queen, she returned England to a Protestant country. She set up a national church, where people were required to attend services. If they did not attend, they had to pay a fine. Elizabeth let priests marry in England and deliver their sermons in English, not Latin. Elizabeth did try to make the Catholics happy by keeping the rich robes and golden crosses. This restored religious peace to England.

10. VIRGIN QUEEN
The English government and people wanted Elizabeth to marry and have a son who was a Protestant so that when she died, he could take over the throne. Elizabeth did not want to marry because her husband would have the power. She wanted to have all the power herself. As a result, Elizabeth would not have a son or daughter to take over the throne.

11. ECONOMY
England was in a lot of debt when she came to power. Elizabeth still spent money fancy court ceremonies to show her power. To raise money without relying on Parliament, Elizabeth sold off royal lands, offices, licenses, and businesses. This did not solve all the problems England faced. The costs of war and inflation (when money cost less and goods cost more) caused more problems, such as poverty, hunger and unemployment. When her reign ended, England was still in a lot of debt.

12. ARMY
Elizabeth’s sister Mary’s husband, Philip II was the King of Spain. He was a Catholic. King Philip II was not happy with Elizabeth because she supported Protestants who went against him. As a result, Philip II invaded England with 130 ships, 8,000 sailors, and 19,000 soldiers. This force was known as the Spanish Armada. However, the English fleet defeated the Spanish.