Age of Absolutism

(1660-1787)

What is Absolutism

• Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger

• Caused by the reformation and age of exploration, monarch rules with absolute power

• What does Absolute means to you?

Examples of Absolutist

Frederick WilliamThe Great Elector Elizabeth I Louis XIV

1643-17151640-1688 1533-1558

Your turn to help!

Leaders that are Absolutist• Kings/Queens• Pharaoh• Emperor• Tsar/czars/csar• Furner• Dictator

Leaders that aren't Absolutist• Presidents• Prime minster• Democracy• Republic

Louis XIV•King of France

•Nickname: The Sun King

•Built the Place of Versailles

•Drove out the Huguenots(French protestant) out of France

•Reduce the power of the nobles

-FYI- Louis XIV is consider the inventor of style or chic for France

Frederick WilliamThe Great Elector

•Frederick William of Hohenzollern (Prussia)

•Abolished the Serf System

•In 1653, the Diet of Brandenburg gave him to tax as he pleased

•Passed a series of measures to protect religious minorities including Muslim( however not Jews)

Elizabeth I

•Queen of England

•Defeated the Spanish armada

•Never got married

-FYI- See never got married and was named the virgin queen of England- Virginia was named from her

Devine Right Theory

• Was the idea that god had chosen leader.

• The people during this era believe this.

• If you question the king, you question God.

• Rulers became the nation(Louis XIV: “L’etat, C’est Moi!) the State? That’s me!

Stop and Think

• Do you think that this was a good way to rule a country?

• Can you name example of government like this in modern history ?

• What are some ways that Europe improved during this age.

• Can you define the a constitutional monarchy?

Form of government

• Democracy• Monarchy• Tyranny• Aristocracy• Communism• Anarchy