ABSOLUTISM ab·so·lut·ism

/ˈabsəl(y)o͞ oˌtizəm/ noun

1.

the acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political,

philosophical, ethical, or theological matters.

2. theory or practice of absolute government-most commonly
associated with an absolute monarchy.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS
Absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch holds supreme autocratic
authority, principally not being restricted by written laws, legislature, or unwritten
customs. These are often hereditary monarchies

DIVINE RIGHT
the right of a sovereign to rule as set forth by the theory of government that holds that a
monarch receives the right to rule directly from God and not from the people.
 ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS

-The Age of Absolutism takes its name from a series of European

monarchs who increased the power of their central governments.

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchies:

-Centralization of power
-Concept of rule by divine right
POWER

OF A MONARCH
IN THE 17TH CENTURY, PEOPLE LOOKED TO THE MONARCH FOR POLITICAL STABILITY

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS HAD TREMENDOUS POWERS

-MAKE LAWS
-LEVY TAXES

-ADMINISTER JUSTICE
-CONTROL THE STATE'S OFFICIALS

-DETERMINE FOREIGN POLICY

CHARACTERISTICS OF ABSOLUTISM
Strenghten political and
Economic power

Build monuments Build up the military

to their power ABSOLUTE and use it
RULERS

Control religion Control the Nobiliity

and assemblies
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The reign of the French

King Louis XIV (reigned
1643-1715)
-has long been considered the best example of
absolutism. In fact, during the 17th century,
many other European monarchies imitated the
French system.
 Louis XIV France 1643

-BECOMES KING AT AGE FOUR

-RULES 72 YEARS
-FRANCE BECOMES THE MOST POWERFUL
-COUNTRY IN EUROPE
-BUILDS THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES
-ALL EUROPEAN RULERS WANT TO BE LIKE
LOUIS
Other absolute Rulers/ Nations

SPAIN-PHILIP THE II
AUSTRIA-MARIA THERESA
RUSSIA-PETER AND CATHERINE THE GREAT
ENGLAND-JAMES I AND CHARLES I*
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PHILIP II
SPAIN (r. 1527 -1598) “Advancing Catholicism and
Increasing Spain’s Power

-Reigned as an absolute monarch

-Devoted most of his time to government work (unlike
many other monarchs)
-Defended the Catholic Church and turned back the rising
Protestant tide in Europe
-Fought many wars in an attempt to advance Spanish
Catholic power (e. g. , the Netherlands)
Maria Theresa
Austria (r. 1740 -1780)

-Strengthened central power of crown

-Limited autonomy of regions
-Aimed at making govt. more efficient
-Limited burden on peasants, reduced ROBOT
-Main concern = healthy pool of military recruits
Peter and Catherine
the Great
Russia Peter I the Great (r. 1682 -1725) &
Catherine II the Great (r. 1762 -1796)
-Used terror to enforce absolute power
-Westernized Russia
-Expanded Russia’s borders through war, treaties, and
exploration
-Policies contributed to the growth of serfdom, which
served only to widen the gap between Russia and the
West (exactly the opposite of what Peter and Catherine
wanted to do)
James I
England (r.1603 -1625)

-often offended the Puritans in Parliament (Elizabeth flattered them to get

her way)
-Expanded English international trade and influence was actively pursued
through the East India Company
-The Thirty Years' War (1618– 1648) was one of the most destructive
conflicts in European history – began during his reign
-James handed down to his son, Charles I a fatal belief in the divine right
of kings, combined with a disdain for Parliament
-These beliefs and attitudes led to the English Civil War and the execution
of Charles I
Charles I
ENGLAND (r.1629 – 1640)

-1640 Charles I dissolved Parliament and ruled

personally
-Charles tried to arrest Parliament’s leaders in
January 1642 –they escaped
-A mob of Londoners raged outside the palace
-Charles fled London and raised an army in the
north of England, where people were loyal to him
 ADVANTAGES AND
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DISADVANTAGES OF ABSOLUTISM
 DISADVANTAGES
If the ruler is not accountable to anyone but himself, he is vulnerable to making
arbitrary and frivolous decisions affecting negatively the commonwealth of the rest
of the population.

The population has no say in their own fate and future. People are totally
dependent on the good or evil will of the “ruler”. No civil rights are in existence to
protect them

condemnatory and harsh- the law has to be obeyed no matter the consequences
to the individual
 ADVANTAGES
One person, the ruler, decides about the directions, the country is going to. This could be
beneficial if these decisions would be solely for the good of the population since bureaucracy,
bureaucrats and opponents cannot slow down the results

Absolutism can bring more stability to a country

monarchies are more efficient, because there are no opposing parties

In extreme times and extreme difficulties, you need a good monarch figure to straighten
things out
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THANK YOU!!!
GROUP 1
Jessa Mae L. Ventura
Marion Janelle Bustos
Charles Wendeel Celleros
Florie Mae Antonio Aguilar
Carlo Ehimplar
Rachelle Canane
Orlan Posadas