Absolute Monarchy

• In this unit you will

– Compare/contrast 4 forms of government

– Analyze the characteristics of an absolute monarch

What is an absolute monarch?• Rule by ONE PERSON—a monarch,

usually a king or a queen—whose actions are restricted neither by written law nor by custom.

• Absolute monarchy persisted in France until 1789 and in Russia until 1917.

• Today only Swaziland and the Vatican are absolute monarchies

Monarchy• A monarchy, (from the Greek "monos arkhein" -- "one ruler") is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State.

• The position of monarch often involves inheritance in some form. Henry VIII of England

Characteristics of an Absolute Monarch

1. Ruled by one person2. Rule is Hereditary or passed down through

the family3. Actions are not restricted by written law or

custom 4. They believe their authority to rule comes

from god

•A DICTATORSHIP is a government headed by a dictator. •It is often equivalent to a police state, but the term "dictatorship" refers to the way the leader gains and holds power, not the watch kept on the citizens.

•Some dictators have been popular enough not to have to employ many very oppressive measures. Examples: Julius Caesar & Adolph Hitler

Dictatorship

Characteristics of a Dictatorship

1. Rule by one person or one party2. Gains or holds power through force3. Have to follow the rules that they create4. Often is a Police State

•A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges hereditary or elected monarch as head of state.

•Though the king or queen may be regarded as the government's symbolic head, it is the Prime Minister who actually governs the country. For example: Queen Elizabeth II of England.

Constitutional Monarchy

Characteristics of a Constitutional Monarchy

1. Monarch shares power with a Parliament or Legislative body

2. Rule is Hereditary or passed down through the family

3. Actions are restricted / limited by a constitution or law

4. A Constitutional Monarchy’s authority comes from tradition and law

Decline of feudalism

Rise of cities

Growth of national kingdoms

Growth of middle class

Wealth of colonies

Breakdown of Church authority

Economic and religious crises

Revolts

Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy

Increased size of court

Created new government bureaucracies

Reduced power of nobles and representative bodies

Absolute Monarch

Rise of Absolutism

One theme = CONTROL!!!1. Control the government

-Centralize & create bureaucracies

-Reduce power of representative bodies

2. Control the nobility -Increase size of court; regulate social gatherings

-Reduce nobles’ power in the government

3. Control economics -Great works

-Economic policies centralized

4. Control power -Divine right & regulate religion

Example: Louis the XIV 1638-1715

• Intendants– Government agents who collected taxes and administered justice (like FBI).

They were under Louis’ control only and kept the gov’t centrally controlled.• Sun King Court

– Louis required all nobles to stay at Versailles with him and attend his daily routine. That meant being in his chambers when he rose and went to bed as well as attending meals. Louis was the sun king because everything revolved around him.

• Divine Right– “The sovereign power of government should be proportionate to its mandate, and in

the station he occupies in the body of human society that makes up the state, he who is the head should hold the place of God. For since God is the only natural sovereign of men, their judge, their lawgiver, their king, no man can have lawful authority over others unless he holds it from the hand of God .... The power of sovereigns being thus derived from the authority of God, it acts as the arm and force of the justice that should be the soul of government; and that justice alone has the natural claim to rule the minds and hearts of men, for it is over these two faculties of men that justice should reign.” –Jean Domat, Jurist

• Economics & Jean Baptiste Colbert– Tariffs, expand manufacturing, fur trade

Royal Gardens

Hall of Mirrors

Hall of Battles

Royal Bedroom (King’s Chambers) One of several

Furniture

Louis as Apollo

Louis as Cavalier

Louis as Sun King

Other Absolute Monarchs in Europe 1500-1800

• Phillip II of Spain

• Maria Theresa of Austria

• Frederick the Great of Prussia

• Peter the Great of Russia

• Catherine the Great of Russia