AGE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS 1500 1800 Characteristics of

AGE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS 1500 -1800

Characteristics of Absolutism n n n Empire expansion Centralization of power Establishment of elaborate administrative institutions Control of church/religion Monument construction Claim of Divine Right

Long-Term Causes of Absolutism n n Decline of feudalism Rise of cities and growth of middle class Growth of national kingdoms Loss of Church authority

Immediate Causes of Absolutism n n Religious and territorial conflicts Buildup of armies Need for increased taxes Revolts by peasants or nobles

Western Europe n n Absolutism easier here – why? Divine right easier here – why? Crises in Europe fuel the growth of absolute rule – why? Examples: Spain, France

Central and Eastern Europe n n More slowly than in western Europe – why? Nobles hold down serfs and block the development of strong kings Holy Roman Empire loses strength, but Austria remains powerful Enlightened despots

Russia n n n Czars try to strengthen the state and reduce the power of the boyars (nobles) Russia is still a land of nobles and serfs, isolated and backward. Some czars want to westernize Russia so it can compete with western Europe.

England n n n English kings clash with Parliament over money and power. English Civil War Cromwell’s Commonwealth & Dictatorship Restoration of the Monarchy Glorious Revolution brings political changes to England

Immediate Effects of Absolutism n n n Regulation of religion and society Larger courts Huge building projects New government bureaucracies Loss of power by nobility and legislatures

Long-Term Effects of Absolutism n n n Revolution in France Western European influence on Russia English political reforms that influence U. S. democracy

Something to think about… n "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. “ n. This is a quotation from Lord Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887: