The Age of Absolutism

Mr. Pinto Social Studies LLD IV

Absolutism

• Absolutism – The absolute and complete control of a monarch over his or her people

• Absolute Monarch – Unlimited power in the hands of the King• Divine Right – The political idea that monarchs receive their

power directly from God and are responsible only to God for their actions. This allowed monarchs to go unchallenged by their subjects

• Balance of Power – Each nation helps to keep peace and order by maintaining power that is equal to rival nations

• Dynasty – A family that governs a country based on the idea that divine right is passed down from generation to generation

Spain and England had Absolute Monarchs

• Charles V of Spain– Holy Roman Emperor

from 1516 to 1556– Bankrupted Spain

through war with France– Gave his son Phillip II

control of Spain, Netherlands, and Spanish America

Phillip II

• Wanted to save Catholic Church from Protestants and Muslims

• Brought back Spanish Inquisition– A court that tried non-

Catholics and killed them

• “Spanish Armada”

Absolutism Grows In England

• Henry VIII (Tudor Dynasty)– Broke England from the

Catholic Church of Rome– Helped to maintain

balance of power in Europe by growing England’s wealth

• Elizabeth I (Tudor Dynasty)– Restored Protestant

Church of England– Made English Navy the

most powerful in the world

– “Elizabethan Culture”

An Absolute Monarchy Ruled France

• Louis XIV– Ruled France from 1661-1715– “I am the state”– Feared Nobles – reduced their strength– Intendants – government agents that collected

taxes and administered justice– Called “the Sun King”– Made Nobles live with him, help him get dressed,

be put to bed, etc.

Louis’ Failures

• Fought many wars throughout Europe $$$$$• His extravagant lifestyle cost $$$$$$$– Parties etc.– The Palace of Versailles

• Drove non-Catholics from France– Hurt workforce