Transcript THE AGE OF ABSOLUTISM (DIVINE MONARCHS)

UNIT 3
Chapter 21 in Text
MR. VERDONE
GLOBAL STUDIES II
KECSS
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•European monarchs of the 1600s claimed they had absolute power to
rule because God gave them their power to govern
The theory that justifies a monarch’s authority is called DIVINE RIGHT
•From the 15th to18th Centuries, absolute monarchs of Europe and Asia
sought to CENTRALIZE their political power.
•CENTRALIZATION = Absolute monarchs determined government
policies without the consent of their people
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Absolute Mughal ruler of India who
modernized and expanded his empire by
using ideas from other cultures
Strengthened India by promoting religious
tolerance
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Niccolò Machiavelli (The Prince)
Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan)
Both advocated that a ruler should employ absolute power
to maintain order in the areas under their rule
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Louis XIV is credited with saying “Lʼétat, cʼest moi” (I am the state).
He promoted culture by supporting the arts
He drained France’s treasury by building the lavish Palace at
Versailles and involving France in costly wars
France did gain territory in the Netherlands (Dutch) in 1667 in an
effort to expand its boundaries
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Phillip II gained much wealth from Spain’s overseas
empire in the Americas
He believed he was the defender of Catholicism against
the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire and the Protestant
Reformation
He waged war against the Protestants in Europe and lost
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He believed in divine right
He also recognized the value of good relations with
Parliament (England’s lawmaking body)
1529 – asked Parliament to pass a series of laws to limit
the Pope’s power in England
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Charles I inherited the throne and imprisoned his foes without a trial.
He dissolved Parliament because he did not want to consult with them
when he increased taxes.
Charles I stormed the English Parliament to arrest its radical leaders
and the English Civil War (1642–1651) ensued.
Supporters of the king (Cavaliers) faced off against supporters of
Parliament (Roundheads).
Parliament won and Charles I was executed.
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Also known as Suleiman the Lawgiver or Suleiman I
(Suleyman is an alternate spelling)
Muslim ruler who held complete religious and political
power
Great military leader who created a strict law code
Fought against corruption, bribes, and did not allow
imprisonment without trial
Conquered parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa
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•Peter the
Great WESTERNIZED Russia
He tried to modernize (westernize)Russian society by incorporating
western technology into the military and industry
He demanded that boyars (Russian nobles) shave their beards and
replace their old fashioned robes with Western-style clothes.
Expanded Russian territory by fighting Sweden to gain a piece of the
Baltic Coast
Peter wanted a warm-water port for better trading opportunities
Peter the Great established the city of St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea
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The documents and events in the following slides led to a
constitutional monarchy in England
Constitutional monarchy – a monarch’s rule is limited by
Parliament (elected government officials) and documents
that guarantee civil liberties
Example – Prime Minister is elected by the majority party
in Parliament today
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List of feudal rights that limited the power of King John
during the Middle Ages
Document was drafted by English nobles and approved by
John
Rights = no taxation without representation, a jury trial,
and protection by the law
Guaranteed what are now considered basic rights in the
U.S. and England
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Prohibited King Charles I from raising taxes
without Parliament’s consent
Also prevented imprisonment without legal
justification
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Habeas corpus is the principle that no person can
be held in prison without first being charged with
a specific crime
Passed during the rule of King Charles II
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The bloodless overthrow of James II who offended his subjects by
displaying his Catholicism
King James II fled for France when William of Orange (Netherlands)
led his army to London
James’s daughter, Mary, married William
Parliament offered the throne to King William and Queen Mary
Parliament agreed to joint rule with the monarch
Established limited monarchy and a constitutional monarchy
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John Locke was one of the most important political thinkers of the
time
Locke opposed absolute monarchy
He believed in natural rights of life, liberty, and property
Purpose of government is to protect these three rights
Citizens have the right to overthrow the government if they fail to
protect these rights
Locke’s ideas were later used by leaders of the American Revolution
as the basis for their struggle
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Before they could be crowned, Parliament had William and Mary
agree to accept this bill
Bill of Rights ensured the superiority of Parliament over the monarchy
Monarchs could NOT :
 prohibit freedom of speech from Parliament
 suspend Parliament’s laws
 pass taxes without Parliament’s consent
 Punish citizens for grieving against the king or queen