2.4 Monarchs with Absolute Power

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• Leerjaar 2

Chapter 2

2.4 Monarchs with Absolute Power

At the end of this lesson...

• You can explain how kings tried to obtain more and more power since the Late Middle Ages.
  
• You can explain what an absolute monarchy is and how that worked in France.
  
• You can write down some of the effects of the introduction of absolute rule in Russia. 

Today

• What do you know already? (+- 10 min)
•  Explanation (+- 20 min)
• Video (+- 15 min)

Kings in the 17th
century

Absolutism

Louis XIV was an absolute king.

1.  He took all the decisions, for example about new laws and taxes.
2.  He was the head of all the ministers and officials, who carried out his orders.
3. He was the highest legal authority: anyone who did not do what he wanted would be punished by him in the end.

''L'État c'ést moi!''

The sun king

Droit Divin

How did he keep his power?

1. Kept the nobility in check.
2. Used tax money to enlarge his army and appoint more civil servants.
3. Chosen by God
4. Standing army.

Peter the Great

What made Louis XIV een absolute monarch?