The Age of Absolutism
Unit 5
Characteristics of absolute monarchies
•Centralization of power-growing wealth of the monarchs helped
them take power from the other nobles in the kingdom
•Concept of rule by divine right- the idea that God had chosen
the ruling family to be in charge. Anyone who went against the
monarch was going against God.
Absolute Monarchs in Europe
Louis XIV—France, Palace of Versailles as a symbol of royal power
Absolute Monarchs in Europe
Frederick the Great—Prussia, emphasis on military power
Absolute Monarchs in Europe
Peter the Great—Russia, westernization of Russia
He took power away from the boyars-Russian nobles to give it to
himself.
War of Spanish Succession
• The monarchs
and nobles of
Europe believed
in the idea of a
“balance of
power”
• This was a
practice that split
up the continent
equally and tried
to limit one
family, one
monarch, or one
country from
gaining too much
power.
War of Spanish Succession
• When Charles II of Spain died (1700) without an
heir, he gave his throne to Phillip-Louis XIV of
France’s grandson. Louis refused to remove
Phillip from his line of succession.
• This meant that Phillip could one day unite France
and Spain into one huge European Empire
Charles II
Phillip V
War of Spanish Succession
• The other powers of Europe joined to go to
war with France and Spain to prevent
Phillip and Louis from dominating Europe
• Eventually the Peace of Utrecht (1714)
ended the war when Phillip V renounced his
claim to the French throne and decided to
stay on as the Spanish king
• The Balance of Power in Europe was
restored