THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ABSOLUTISM
SAMPLE REPSPONSE TO A 10 MARK QUESTION
Using three or four points, outline the characteristics of absolutism in France in the eighteenth
century.
Use evidence to support you answer
(Using more advanced metalanguage, though same structure)
Absolutism was a system of governance that operated in France prior to the revolution of 1789
which was deeply embedded in French culture, despite the many challenges to the system that
emerged as the country developed. Primarily, it was characterised by the monarch having absolute
control in governing the country. This was evident in the monarch’s ability to pass laws, impose
taxes, declare war and peace, control the nation’s currency and appoint and dismiss ministers in
such a way that would enable him to enact these various functions of government. While no single
constitution existed to outline this system of governance, France had been a Kingdom since 843CE,
and during this time absolutism had become common cultural practice. Louis XIV further enshrined
absolute government during his reign in the mid nineteenth century through his style of leadership
and by moving the royal court to Versailles from Paris. Furthermore, the monarch’s absolute rule
was justified through the notion that he ruled by divine right, wherein he was perceived as receiving
his power directly through God. By extension, the act of criticising the monarch was seen as
criticising God. This is significant in that Catholicism was deeply entrenched in French society, which
meant that absolutism was not only accepted, but that the monarch was celebrated and revered.
However, absolutism was also characterised by the monarch meeting certain public expectations:
Specifically that he demonstrated competence in his rule, that he was benevolent and looked after
his subjects, and that he was connected through blood line to a dynasty. This is significant in the
context of the French Revolution of 1789 as Louis XVI gradually developed a public identity where he
was both not competent and indifferent to the harsh reality of most members of the third estate. In
addition to this, the characteristics through which absolutist rule ran the country were problematic.
The King issued orders to his council of state, who in turn passed on Royal decrees and orders to
intendants who would implement them into the provinces. This system did not cater from the
variation that existed in the French provinces, and was further complicated because the King relied
on reports from intendants on the state of the nation. Intendants, to retain their lucrative positions,
were often inclined to tell the court what they wanted to hear, rather than keep the King abreast of
problems that required attention to retain his image of competence and benevolence.
Using three or four points, outline the characteristics of absolutism in France in the eighteenth
century.
Use evidence to support you answer
(Using standard metalanguage and structure)
Absolutism was a system of governance that operated in France prior to the revolution of 1789
which was deeply embedded in French culture, despite the many challenges to the system that
emerged as the country developed. Firstly, it was characterised by the monarch having absolute
control in governing the country. This was evident in the monarch’s ability to pass laws, impose
taxes, declare war and peace, control the nation’s currency and appoint and dismiss ministers in
such a way that would enable him to enact these various functions of government. While no single
constitution existed to outline this system of governance, France had been a Kingdom since 843CE,
and during this time absolutism had become common cultural practice. Louis XIV further enshrined
absolute government during his reign in the mid nineteenth century through his style of leadership
and by moving the royal court to Versailles from Paris. Secondly, the monarch’s absolute rule was
justified through the notion that he ruled by divine right, wherein he was perceived as receiving his
power directly through God. By extension, the act of criticising the monarch was seen as criticising
God. This is significant in that Catholicism was deeply entrenched in French society, which meant
that absolutism was not only accepted, but that the monarch was celebrated and revered. Thirdly,
absolutism was also characterised by the monarch meeting certain public expectations: Specifically
that he demonstrated competence in his rule, that he was benevolent and looked after his subjects,
and that he was connected through blood line to a dynasty. This is significant in the context of the
French Revolution of 1789 as Louis XVI gradually developed a public identity where he was both not
competent and indifferent to the harsh reality of most members of the third estate. Finally, the
characteristics through which absolutist rule ran the country were problematic. The King issued
orders to his council of state, who in turn passed on Royal decrees and orders to intendants who
would implement them into the provinces. This system did not cater from the variation that existed
in the French provinces, and was further complicated because the King relied on reports from
intendants on the state of the nation. Intendants, to retain their lucrative positions, were often
inclined to tell the court what they wanted to hear, rather than keep the King abreast of problems
that required attention to retain his image of competence and benevolence.