AbsolutismAbsolutism

In your opinion: How In your opinion: How can a leader can a leader abuseabuse his his

or her powers? or her powers?

What are examples?What are examples?

Think, Write & Prepare Think, Write & Prepare to Discussto Discuss

BackgroundBackgroundDuring the Reformation, the Catholic During the Reformation, the Catholic

church started to lose power in Europe.church started to lose power in Europe.

Monarchs filled that power and began Monarchs filled that power and began to control their countries with absolute to control their countries with absolute control.control.

So….what is “Absolutism”?So….what is “Absolutism”?Absolute monarch: King or queen Absolute monarch: King or queen

with complete control. Hold all with complete control. Hold all power.power.

Leaders wanted to free themselves Leaders wanted to free themselves from the limits imposed by the from the limits imposed by the nobility and government bodies.nobility and government bodies.

Some believe in “divine right” (idea Some believe in “divine right” (idea that a ruler receives the right to rule that a ruler receives the right to rule from God).from God).

RussiaRussia

RussiaRussia Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible

1533 – became 1533 – became king at 3 years king at 3 years oldold

After his wife, After his wife, Anastasia, died, Anastasia, died, his rule turned his rule turned harsh.harsh.

Used secret Used secret police to hunt police to hunt down enemies down enemies and kill them. and kill them. Even murdered Even murdered his oldest son.his oldest son.

RussiaRussia Peter the GreatPeter the Great

Late 1600s – “Czar”: Late 1600s – “Czar”: leader of Russialeader of Russia

““Great” because he Great” because he modernized Russia.modernized Russia.

To meet his goals, he To meet his goals, he increased his powers to increased his powers to force people to make force people to make changes he wanted: Put changes he wanted: Put Russian Orthodox Russian Orthodox Church under his control. Church under his control. Reduced power of the Reduced power of the nobles. Built up army.nobles. Built up army.

SpainSpain

SpainSpain

King Philip IIKing Philip II15561556

Expands power Expands power by also taking by also taking control of control of Portugal.Portugal.

Controlled lives Controlled lives of peopleof people

Believes his Believes his power comes power comes from God.from God.

FranceFrance

FranceFrance King Louis XIVKing Louis XIV

1643 – became 1643 – became king at age 4. (A king at age 4. (A Cardinal ruled Cardinal ruled for him until he for him until he was 22).was 22).

Total control of Total control of FranceFrance

Determined to Determined to never let nobles never let nobles challenge him – challenge him – he kept them out he kept them out of government.of government.

France became France became most powerful most powerful nation in Europe.nation in Europe.

The Thirty Years WarThe Thirty Years War1618-16481618-1648Germany divided between Catholic Germany divided between Catholic

and Protestantand Protestant

France (a Catholic country) helps the France (a Catholic country) helps the German PROTESTANTS because it German PROTESTANTS because it fears Germany will become too strong.fears Germany will become too strong.

Result of warResult of warGermany suffers: 4 million people diedGermany suffers: 4 million people died

Economy in ruins / 200 years to recoverEconomy in ruins / 200 years to recover

France gains German territoryFrance gains German territory

But! End of religious wars But! End of religious wars in Europein Europe

Austria, Austria, Hungary Hungary

& & BohemiaBohemia

Maria TheresaMaria TheresaMid 1700s – Mid 1700s –

becomes becomes EmpressEmpress

Increased Increased her power & her power & reduced reduced power of the power of the noblesnobles

1700 Europe1700 Europe

Think & Discuss:Think & Discuss:What did all of these What did all of these

absolute monarchs have in absolute monarchs have in common?common?

- What did they want?- What did they want?

- What did they do to get it?- What did they do to get it?