Absolutism starter

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Absolutism

Absolutism

The main idea:

👑 The king is the highest authority.

• The king makes the important decisions.
• Government officials carry out his orders.
• He does not have to share political power with parliament.
• Goal: to control government and keep the nobility under control.

Divine right of kings:

 the idea that God created the monarchy and the monarchy acted as God’s representative on earth.

The king answered only to God and not the people

What is an absolute monarch

Explain what the divine right of king is

What is the order of power under the divine right of kings?

1. King-God -People
2. God-King-People
3. God-People- King
4. People-King-God

According to the divine right of kings, who can judge the king’s actions?

1. the people
2. Parliament
3. God
4. No one

• Absolutism developed across Europe during the 1500s and 1600s.
• Several European monarchs tried to increase their power.
• Louis XIV (France) became the most famous example.
• He is often called the “Sun King.”

👑 Louis XIV of France

King of France: 1643–1715

 Look at the about 3 meters high and 2 meters wide painting of Louis XIV, painted by Hyacinthe Rigaud  in 1701 on behalf of the king.  Write down your first impressions of the painting.

First impressions

"L'État, c'est moi!"

 Louis XIV  : "L'État, c'est moi!" *- "I am the state!" - what motto could be under the image of today's "ruler"?

*the specific quote seems to have been a later invention to summarize his approach to ruling, rather than something he directly said.

What motto could be under the image of a ruler today?

Vocabulary

The court = the people who lived at or regularly visited the king’s palace and were close to him. They included nobles, officials and servants.

The nobility = rich and powerful people who owned land and had high social status. Louis XIV wanted to keep the nobles under his control.

Many nobles lived at Versailles, where they competed for the king’s attention and favour.

This helped Louis XIV control the nobility and show that he was the centre of power.

The court = the people who lived at or regularly visited the king’s palace and were close to him. They included nobles, officials and servants.

The nobility = rich and powerful people who owned land and had high social status. Louis XIV wanted to keep the nobles under his control.

The government = officials who carried out the king’s decisions.

How did Louis XIV divert the attention of the court/ the nobility?

1. By giving them money
2. By giving them a lot of work
3. By giving spectacular parties
4. By giving them an iPad

Where did Louis move his government?

1. To Paris
2. to Fontainebleau
3. To the Tuileries Palace
4. To Versailles

Why was it an honour for a noble to help Louis XIV with his daily routine?

1. It meant the noble could make laws.
2. It gave them access to the king and could lead to rewards and better positions
3. It gave the noble control.
4. It allowed them to collect taxes.

Helping the king with his daily routine was a great honour. 

It gave nobles close access to Louis XIV. 

Nobles competed for his attention and favour because this could lead to important jobs, rewards and privileges. 

This helped Louis XIV control the nobility. 

This kept them focused on the king instead of building their own power.

Other absolutist monarchs

                                             17th century

🇪🇸 Philip IV — Spain (1621–1665)

🇷🇺 Peter the Great — Russia (1682–1725)

                                          18th century 

🇦🇹 Maria Theresa — Austria (1740–1780)

🇷🇺 Catherine the Great — Russia (1762–1796)

🇵🇷 Frederick the Great — Prussia (1740–1786)