1. ABSOLUTISM: THE AGE OF KINGS IN EUROPE (1600-1770) The decline of feudalism, the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation and the Commercial Revolution all served to enrich European society and to greatly increase the power of European monarchs.

2. THE GROWTH OF ROYAL POWER  During the Middle Ages, the monarchs power was limited by nobles and the Catholic Church.  Kings expanded their power through: The Protestant Reformation /religious wars Increasing taxes (and heavy spending) Creating large standing armies (and using them to stop resistance to higher taxes) Support against nobles from the growing middle classes Creating large standing armies

3. ABSOLUTE MONARCHY This growth in the power of the monarchs led to the political system of ABSOLUTE MONARCHY: The monarch had TOTAL control over his subjects. The monarch’s power was not restricted by a constitution or other governing body (such as a parliament) in any form.

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5. JUSTIFYING ROYAL POWER  Adopted the Renaissance view, justified their actions on the basis of “reason of state” (raison d'état)  Englishman Thomas Hobbes argued that without a strong central authority (like an absolute monarch) to keep order, society would break down into a “war of every man against every man.”  James I in England and Louis XIV in France and other European monarchs used the concept of divine right to justify their power: The idea a king was God’s deputy on Earth, and royal commands expressed God’s wishes.

6. ENLIGHTENED DESPOTS- WHAAAAT??? Some absolute monarchs, like Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine the Great of Russia saw themselves as enlightened despots, or absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change. They believed their rule was generous and benefited their subjects more than other European monarchs. They instituted religious tolerance, established scientific academies, and promoted social reform.