The Age of Absolutism Mr. Pinto Social Studies LLD IV
Jan 03, 2016
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