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Absolutism in Europe. SWBAT: explain absolutism and identify absolute monarchs. Homework: None Do now: answer the questions on the top of the guided notes. Agree or Disagree. “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” . Agree or Disagree.
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Absolutism in Europe SWBAT: explain absolutism and identify absolute monarchs. Homework: None Do now: answer the questions on the top of the guided notes.
Agree or Disagree • “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Agree or Disagree • “Power resides only where men believe it resides.”
Agree or Disagree • “We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”
What is absolutism? • Form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government • Power is not limited by a constitution or by the law. • An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political power over the state and its people. • Absolute monarchies are often hereditary but other means of transmission of power can be used.
Louis XIV- France • Ruled France for 72 years. • Lived through rebellions as a child and looked to make the king’s power absolute. • Believed in the divine right of kings- god had chosen him to rule. • Made all important decisions himself. • Adopted the sun as his personal symbol.
Versailles • Built Versailles; represented the power of the monarchy. • Used it to control nobles. • Nobles could advance only by gaining the king’s favor.
Peter I- Russia • Wanted to modernize Russia. • Looked to Europe, specifically France, for inspiration.
Absolutism in Russia • Took Louis’ ideas of absolutism and pushed them even further. • Had complete control of a highly centralized government. • Brought the Russian Orthodox Church under his control. • Nobles were given land and serfs (slaves) that Peter could take away at any time. • Led to extreme loyalty from lords and complete power of the state. • Elevated the status of the army, making them loyal to the czar.
Frederick William I - Prussia • Did not want to follow France as an example. • Did not believe lavish spending was the way to create power. Prussia
The Plan • Instead he building large buildings, he concentrated on the army. He doubled the size and made it the most efficient force in Europe. • Well equipped, disciplined, and were punished if orders were disobeyed. • Brought absolute power to himself with the use of his army.
Elizabeth I - England • Absolutism never gained the foothold in England as it had in other European countries. • Parliament was used by Henry VIII to turn England Protestant, which gave them more power. • Elizabeth used Parliament, but did not allow it too much power. • Instead, she sought to gain power through religious unity. • Puritans and Catholics were prosecuted.
