Absolutism Absolutism

►Due to the Protestant Reformation, the Due to the Protestant Reformation, the power of the power of the kingking increased in Europe. increased in Europe.

►Kings reigned as Kings reigned as absolute monarchs.absolute monarchs. absolute absolute monarch: a ruler with complete monarch: a ruler with complete

authority over the government and the authority over the government and the lives of the people.lives of the people.

How? Justified through the How? Justified through the divine right divine right of of Kings.Kings.►The idea that kings’ authority came directly from GodThe idea that kings’ authority came directly from God►Kings were God’s agents on earthKings were God’s agents on earth

Good Kings = sent by God to help and bless Good Kings = sent by God to help and bless people.people.

Bad Kings = sent by God to punish people.Bad Kings = sent by God to punish people.

►Benefits of AbsolutismBenefits of Absolutism Enforced Enforced peace peace WageWage war war Eliminate Eliminate expressions of opinions and ideasexpressions of opinions and ideas

►Absolutism freed the king from the Absolutism freed the king from the influence of the influence of the churchchurch and the masses! and the masses!

►Famous noteworthy quote: “Absolute Famous noteworthy quote: “Absolute power corrupts power corrupts absolutely.absolutely.” ”

►Some Famous Absolute MonarchsSome Famous Absolute Monarchs King Phillip II of King Phillip II of SpainSpain II = 2II = 2 Louis XIV of Louis XIV of FranceFrance XIV = 14XIV = 14 Peter the Great of Peter the Great of RussiaRussia Catherine the Great of Catherine the Great of RussiaRussia

Roman NumeralsRoman NumeralsBeforeBefore AfterAfterIV IV = 4 = 4 V = 5 V = 5 VI VI = = 66

IX IX = = 9 9 X = 10 X = 10 XI = 11XI = 11

XIV XIV = 14 = 14 XV = XV = 15 15 XVI XVI = = 1616