Absolute Monarchy
 The Scientific Revolution, Age of Enlightenment,
and the American Revolution
 Issues of disunity in Europe (Renaissance,
Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Sci. Revolution)
 Main cause of Disunity: Competition between the
Aristocracy & the Monarchy
 European countries attempted to solve this disunity
in two ways: Constitutionalism & Absolutism
Constitutionalism vs. Absolutism
 Constitutionalism (decentralized power): does not
require a written constitution, but does require a set of
rules about government which government respects. It
also implies a balance in power between the
government and its subjects (Parliament, Congress,
Representatives, etc.)
 Absolutism (centralized power): Right to rule is held
by solely by a King/Queen; no assembly or group of
nobles may limit the Monarchs authority. Uses Divine
Right of Kings as justification,
Review of the Scientific Revolution
 What was the Scientific Revolution?
 How was the Scientific Revolution a result of the
Renaissance, Reformation, and Age of Exploration?
 How did the Scientific Revolution change the way
people approached scientific study?
 What do you think is the most significant result of
the Scientific Revolution?
What is an Absolute Monarch?
 Monarch (King or Queen) that centralizes power
under one leader
 King or Queen controls all aspects of the country
and daily life
 Uses religion to keep people under control
 Controls economy
 Leads military and decides when to declare war
 Creates all laws
Divine Right of Kings
 What is It?: The King gets the right to rule directly
from God and does not have to answer to any other
source
 Why is it Important?: Used to justify the strong
absolute monarchs
More Details on Absolute Monarchs
 Where?: Europe, specifically France, Spain, and
Russia
 When?: 1500s to the late 1700s
 Who?: Louis XIV (France), King Phillip II (Spain),
Peter the Great (Russia)
King Louis XIV of
France
 Reigns from 1643-1715 CE
 Strongest Monarch in all of
French History
 Called himself “the Sun
King” because he was the
center of the universe
 Took all power in France for
himself – eliminated all
enemies
Successes and Failures of Louis XIV
Successes
Failures

Increased power of French
monarch

Eliminates French law-making
body – the Estates General

Built strongest army in Europe

Involved in many costly wars (lost
most of them)

Improves economy – France is
wealthiest in Europe

France becomes enemy of others
in Europe

Promotes the Arts - Spreads
French culture throughout
Europe

Religious persecution of
Protestants

Palace of Versailles

Long-term cause of the French
Revolution
The Palace of
Versailles
•
Center of French Monarchy through 1798
•
1/3 of a mile long palace on 2000 acres of land
•
700 rooms
•
1400 fountains
Reflection Questions: Answer on Your
Notes Sheet
 What are the possible problems with the idea of
absolute monarchy and the Divine Right of Kings?
 How do you think the people would respond to the
powers of an absolute monarch?