Absolute Absolute MonarchsMonarchsIt’s good to be It’s good to be

king!king!

Nation-Nation-StatesStatesCharacteristics:Characteristics:

A.A. Strong central governmentsStrong central governmentsB.B. Common cultureCommon cultureC.C. Patriotism & NationalismPatriotism & NationalismD.D. Distinct national boundaries Distinct national boundaries

(borders)(borders)

Increase in Increase in Kings’ PowerKings’ Power

A.A. Crusades/Black Plague caused Crusades/Black Plague caused a decline in population.a decline in population.

B.B. Middle class in towns needed Middle class in towns needed protection from king.protection from king.

C.C. Technology of the cannon, pike Technology of the cannon, pike and long bow.and long bow.

11stst Nations NationsEnglandEnglandFranceFranceSpainSpain

Absolute Absolute MonarchMonarch• ABSOLUTE MONARCHSABSOLUTE MONARCHS are kings or queens are kings or queens

that believed that all power within their state’s that believed that all power within their state’s boundaries rested boundaries rested in their handsin their hands. Their goal . Their goal was to was to control every aspect of societycontrol every aspect of society. Their . Their position is position is hereditaryhereditary..

• DIVINE RIGHTDIVINE RIGHT is the idea that is the idea that GodGod created created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on earthGod’s representative on earth. They answer . They answer ONLYONLY to God, not to their subjects. to God, not to their subjects.

FranceFrance• Characteristics of France:Characteristics of France:

A.A. Strong central governmentStrong central governmentB.B. Royal officials chosen for ability (paid)Royal officials chosen for ability (paid)C.C. Royal courts highest court, but king seen as Royal courts highest court, but king seen as

source of justicesource of justiceD.D. Local customs and traditions honored if Local customs and traditions honored if

they didn’t interfere with justicethey didn’t interfere with justice

Estates Estates GeneralGeneral3 Estates3 Estates::

11stst Estate: clergy Estate: clergy

22ndnd Estate: nobility Estate: nobility

33rdrd Estate: bourgeoisie (commoners) Estate: bourgeoisie (commoners)

**had no real power – could not tax**had no real power – could not tax

Louis XIIILouis XIII• Weak king – Bourbon DynastyWeak king – Bourbon Dynasty• Appointed Cardinal Richelieu minister – Appointed Cardinal Richelieu minister –

ruled France (Three Musketeers)ruled France (Three Musketeers)• Against protestants (Huguenots) & Against protestants (Huguenots) &

wanted to weaken noble rulewanted to weaken noble rule• Got involved in the 30 Years’ WarGot involved in the 30 Years’ War

Louis XIVLouis XIV““L’L’état, c’est moi” – I am the stateétat, c’est moi” – I am the stateBecame ruler at 5-years-oldBecame ruler at 5-years-oldThe perfect example of an absolute ruler.The perfect example of an absolute ruler.

VersaillesVersailles• Cost an estimated $2 billion (in 1994 Cost an estimated $2 billion (in 1994

dollars).dollars).• 36,000 laborers and 6,000 horses 36,000 laborers and 6,000 horses

worked on the palace.worked on the palace.• 15,000 acres of gardens15,000 acres of gardens• 1,400 fountains1,400 fountains• 2,000 rooms2,000 rooms

http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen7/f30-versailles.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=852eroBwDrA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Versailles VideosVersailles Videos

CribsCribs1.1. Design your own Versailles using a budget of $1 Design your own Versailles using a budget of $1

million. You can’t go over budget.million. You can’t go over budget.2.2. Need to put in 12 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and a Need to put in 12 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and a

kitchen.kitchen.3.3. Extra money can be used to add a pool, game Extra money can be used to add a pool, game

room, home theater, etc.room, home theater, etc.4.4. Each group turns in 1completed floor plan.Each group turns in 1completed floor plan.5.5. Each student turns in one question sheet – can Each student turns in one question sheet – can

answer questions 4 & 5 with your group.answer questions 4 & 5 with your group.6.6. DUE at the end of class.DUE at the end of class.