WHII: SOL 6b
Age of Absolutism
Characteristics of absolute
monarchies
• Centralization of power
• Concept of rule by divine right
Absolute Monarchs
• Louis XIV of France: Palace of Versailles as a
symbol of royal power
• Known as the “Sun King” to emphasize divine
rule
• Obstacles overcome to achieve absolute power:
– Subduing the French nobles, (moved them to
Versailles)
– Gaining control of the Church,
– Eliminating the legislative body (Estates General)
Versailles
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Cost $2 billion in today’s money
36,000 laborers and 6,000 horses
Two wings-each 150 yards long!
2,000 rooms!
15,000 acres of land
1,400 fountains
Versailles
Louis XIV of France
• Obstacles to Absolute Power
• The nobles had their own taxes and courts, and
the king could not be absolute if these practices
continued. The Church had its own courts and
taxes, and these forms of control would limit the
king if they were allowed to continue. A
legislature with powers to raise money or pass
laws would prevent the power of the king from
being absolute.
Peter the Great of Russia:
Westernization of Russia
• For decades, Russia had closed her western
borders, and the people had cultivated eastern
characteristics, such as wearing long robes, growing
beards, and eating with their hands.
• Peter, who had traveled to the west as a young
man, admired western society. When he became
Tsar, he began the process of forcing his people to
adopt the culture of western societies.
• He also built western-style cities, such as St.
Petersburg.
Peter the Great
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Add info from text
War with Sweden
Warm water port
Changes made
Peter the Great
• Mind of a
genius, body
of a giant,
and temper
of a bear.
• 6 ft. 8 in.
Peter the Great
•Cruel to his
own family:
when son
opposed him,
Peter had him
thrown into jail
and killed
Impact of Absolute Monarchies on
Nations
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Conflicts with other countries for power
Conflict over trade throughout the world
Desire for power on the part of certain groups
Little or no say in government by the common
people
Large bureaucracies to run the country
More centralization
More unity
Large armies
Written Response
• Write a brief essay explaining why you think
Peter is given “Great” as part of his title
– Explain whether you think he deserves this title