2.4 Monarchs with absolute power

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 2

Monarchs with absolute power

paragraph 2.4

Learning goals

• 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.

Kings in Europe

In the 17th century all countries (except for the NL) were a monarchy. Since the Middle Ages, kings gained more and more power. From the 17th century they tried to take away all power and wanted to govern on their own. 

= absolutism

The Sun King

The French Louis XIV was an absolute monarch. 

He:

1. took all decisions on his own
2. was in power of all ministers and government officials
3. was the highest judge 

The Sun King

Not everyone agreed with his absolute monarchy. To maintain power, he took measures. 

1. He built a huge palace in Versailles.
2. No rights for protestants → everyone had to be catholic
3. The Godly Right: he let people believe he was appointed by God 
4. A well trained army

                                                                                                       L'état, c'est moi

Why did Louis had his nickname Zonnekoning?

What is the term we use when kings reign on their own?

Why did Louis want the nobility to be close to him?

Give 2 reasons why Louis needed so much money.