absolutism. absolutism defined a government in which all power is centralized – total control over...
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Absolutism
Absolutism Defined
A government in which all power is centralized – total control over all aspect of life by the monarch (king)
Louis XIV
Secured all power of France under his rule
His economic advisor, Colbert, helped reform taxes to increase Louis’ wealth
Louis built Palace of Versailles as a display of his power
Revoked the Edict of Nantes because religious unity would increase French power
Louis XIV
Under Louis XIV, France became the model for absolutism
He said “I am the state”
Nickname: The Sun King
Peter the Great
Romanov ruler of Russia
Wanted to catch Russia up to Western Europe
Traveled around Europe to learn about their ways and bring knowledge back to Russia
Frederick the Great
Ruled Prussia as an absolute monarch
Made many reforms to the military
Created Europe’s strongest military
Enlightened Despots
A few monarchs retained absolute control of their countries while also enacting reform based on Enlightenment ideas.Austria: Maria Teresa and her son Joseph II
Russia: Catherine the Great
Reforms of Enlightened Despots
They reduced taxes for peasants
Provided free education
Ended censorship in their empire
Some religious toleration
Sought the advice of nobles and peasants in the running of government
The Puritan Revolution
Absolutism in England???
After Queen Elizabeth died she appointed her cousin James I (Stuart Family) to be king
James I
James I admired the absolutism of Louis XIV and wanted to rule absolutely also
James I did not want to share power with English Parliament
Declared divine rights of kings – that God gave him the right to rule
Resented have to ask Parliament for money for war
Charles I
James’ son, Charles I ruled in the same way
He tried to move England toward becoming an absolute monarch rather than a limited monarch that shared power with Parliament
The Parliament
Many Parliament members were Puritan and resented rule by Anglican kings
Parliament grew tired of the kings’ attempts to take all the power to rule
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English Civil War
Civil War broke out in EnglandKing & Royalists V Parliament & Puritans
Royalists lost
King Charles I was beheaded
Puritan Oliver Cromwell ruled from 1653-1658 as “Lord Protectorate”
The Restoration
Oliver Cromwell died in 1658
The Stuart Family was restored to the throne as monarchs of England
Charles II became king
James II
Charles’ son, James II, started to try to reintroduce absolutism into England and resist Parliament control
Parliament gathered forced to resist James II’s quest for power
James II fled England and went to hide in France
Glorious Revolution - 1689
Parliament invited James’ daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange (the Netherlands) to rule
This bloodless revolution is known as the Glorious Revolution
English Bill of Rights
William and Mary were forced to sign English Bill of Rights before they could take the throne
This document said they must share power with Parliament – created a limited monarchy – no chance of absolutism