Louis XIV and Absolutism
Agenda
Bell Ringer: What is the difference between the
Calvinist and Lutheran Church?
1. Brief Lecture: The rise of Absolutism and the
Westernization of Russia
2. Image Interpretation, what is Absolutism?
3. The rise of Absolutism Chart, Western vs.
Eastern
4. Thomas Hobbes and his theory of man
5. AP Questions and Discussion.
Rise of Absolutism
• Absolute Monarch- kings
and queens that believed all
power within the country
was theirs.
• Divine Right- God created
the Monarchy, and that king
was god’s representative.
• Gave up freedom for
protection from kings.
• Factors leading to
Absolutism- Religious
Warfare, heavy taxation.,
revolts quelled with
violence.
Louis XIV
• Cardinal Richelieu led
the way in crushing
revolts under Louis XIII
• Make king supreme in
France, make France
supreme in Europe.
• XIV took power in 1643
at the age of 4.
• Officially took power at
the age of 22.
Louis XIV
• Did not allow for a royal
assembly.
• Concentrated all
authority with the
crown.
• “I am the State”
• Known for his palace at
Versailles.
• The Louvre wasn’t good
enough for him.
Politics under Louis XIV
• Jean Baptiste Colbert
strengthened the tax
system, promoting
economic reform.
• France improved through
roads. (trading)
• Economic controls shifted
to national government.
• Revenues went straight to
Louis XIV.
Expansion
• Louis had a passion for war
and glory in France.
• Frontier moved North and
East
• Louis opponents such as
Britain, Holland, and Austria
limited gains.
• France could have been
great, but Louis taking
money and manpower for
adventure, he spoiled
accomplishments.
• Dies in 1715, France begins
decline towards revolution.
Russia
• Muscovite men were tied
to the Orthodox church
and considered
themselves very
powerful.
• Tsars, complete rulers.
• Ivans show up during this
time
• They ended the Mongol
invasions of Europe by
creating an empire that
stretched to the Pacific.
Russia
• Romanov Dynasty focused
on Europe, and attempted
to make it to the Baltic.
• Struggled with Poland and
Sweden, win.
• Peter the Great, spread
Russia to the Baltic.
• St. Petersburg constructed
from land taken from
Sweden. 1721
• Catherine II takes over in
1763.
What does this image say about
Absolutism?
• What does this image
say about Absolute
Monarchs?
Reading Quiz #5
1. What were the main features of the
Renaissance, and how did it differ from the
Middle Ages?
2. What are the major beliefs of Lutheranism
and Calvinism, and how did it differ from
Catholicism?
3. Define Absolutism, and give an example from
two Empires.
4. How did England Avoid the rise of
Absolutism?