1. Introduction to Absolute Monarchs
Essential Question:
What aspects must be present for a ruler to be labeled an absolute monarch, and what events led to the creation of constitutional monarchies?

2. Quick Introduction… What is an ABSOLUTE MONARCH?
A king or queen has total power, seeks to control all aspects of society
What gives the king his power?
Divine Right – belief that God gave him the “right” to rule

3. Absolutism Dominates Europe
Causes of Absolutism:
Decline of feudalism
Rise of cities
Merchants support of monarchs
Crises
Religious and territorial conflicts
Monarchs tried to regulate by gaining more power

4. ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE

5. Louis XIV - The Most Powerful Ruler of France
“I am the state”
Expanded the economy
Over-turned the Edict of Nantes
Persecuted the Protestants
Pampered himself
Lived in TOTAL luxury, had 500 servants, cooks, etc. who looked after his every desire.

6. Positives that Louis Brought
Strengthened France in Art & Literature
Strengthened French Military and influence in Europe
Strengthened the French Colonies in the New World
Negatives that Louis Brought
Constant Warfare
Lots of debts
High Taxes for the people
Set the stage for the French Revolution
Louis died in his bed in The French people celebrated when they heard the news.

7. The Palace at Versailles
People who wanted to speak to the king could not knock on his door. Instead, using the left pinkie finger, they had to gently scratch on the door, until they were granted permission to enter. As a result, many courtiers grew that fingernail longer than the others

13. ABSOLUTISM
IN ENGLAND
While other nations turned to absolutism in the 1500s and 1600s, England’s Parliament resisted the throne.

14. Monarchs Defy Parliament
A MONARCHY is a form of ABSOLUTISM
The Monarchs (Kings and Queens) felt that they were above the law (Parliament)
Parliament = English version of US Congress

15. Monarchs vs. Parliament
Queen Elizabeth – she had problems with the parliament regarding money
James I – he had problems with the parliament regarding religion
Charles I – fired the Parliament!

16. Charles I vs. Parliament
Charles fired Parliament
Then he needed money so here-hired them.
Parliament says sign Petition of Right and you can have money
No false imprisonment
No taxes w/o Parliament’s consent
No housing of soldiers in homes
No martial (absolute) law in peace time
Charles signed it – then IGNORED it.
Parliament withheld money – He fired them again…

17. Also called “Royalists”
English Civil War
Why? – because the people were mad at Charles for firing the Parliament
Puritans
Supported Parliament
Called Roundheads
Leader was Oliver Cromwell
Loyalists
Supported Charles
Called “Cavilers”
Also called “Royalists” VS

18. English Civil War Results
Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads defeated Charles
Put him on trial, sentenced him to death and beheaded him

19. Changes in Power Forms a strict military state
Oliver Cromwell:
Forms a strict military state
After Cromwell dies, people wanted a king – Charles II (Charles I son) took over
Restoration of England

20. Glorious Revolution Charles II died with NO heir
His brother James II took over (Catholic)
English Bill of Rights instated
William and Mary come to power (Protestant) and develop a
Constitutional Monarchy (limited monarchy)

21. Summary
Through the 1500s and 1600s absolutism became dominant through much of Europe
Absolutist monarchs claimed they ruled by divine right
England stood as a contrast to the trend of absolutism
After English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution the English Bill of Rights was passed establishing England as a limited monarchy