Absolutism

Absolutism

After the Enlightenment, rulers were trying to hold on to their power.

Absolutism is a political system in which a single monarch, usually a king or queen, holds complete and unrestrained power over a country. The power of an absolutist government may not be challenged or limited.

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​What is Absolutism?

Open Ended

What elements of absolutism did Scar display in this clip? Tell me at least one example.

Multiple Choice

What is an absolute monarch?

• A ruler with unlimited power and control over the lives of the people

• A ruler with few limitations on their control and power

• A ruler that shares power with a government

• A ruler that has no actual power or control

Multiple Choice

What is not an element of Absolutism?

• Complete control by the leader

• Leader is not challenged and makes all decisions

• Leader must keep his people happy

• Leader's power is not limited in any way

​During/After the Age of Exploration there was a rise in Absolute Monarchs

• England

• France

• Spain

• Russia

• Austria

• and more...

What led to this?

• Catholic Church's power was weakened and absorbed by the Monarchs

• Noble's power was weakened by Monarchs

• Trade around the world increased and people craved the economic and political stability that came with Absolutism.

Multiple Choice

Which is true about absolute monarchs becoming so powerful in the 1600s and 1700s?

• Strengthened power of the Catholic Church

• decrease in trade allowed them to consolidate power

• Weakened power of the nobility gave more power to the monarchs

• Democratic control and divine right to rule

​The belief that God gave Monarchs the power to rule.

Divine Right of Kings

​Write this definition in your notes...

Multiple Choice

What is the divine right of kings?

• The belief that the angels choose the ruler

• The belief that God gave kings the right to rule

• The belief that all rulers go to heaven

• The belief that all Kings must get the blessing of the popes

Open Ended

What does this picture of the Palaces of Versailles tell you about the wealth of monarchs during this time?

​Marie A. Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk62PYiWav0

full clip

Open Ended

What is your opinion of Marie Antoinette after watching this clip? Would you want her life?

During Marie Antoinette's reign as queen, people were taxed heavily by the monarchy and combined with poor harvests, many peasants, about 90% of the population, were starving

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​What was the rest of France like at this time?

Open Ended

does your opinion of her change after learning this information? If so, why?

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulFcixE00Z8&list=PLPLyfs2YmGkcx0kalNhlikEOrx_Jud0Js&index=6

Play until 1:55

​The scientific revolution and Enlightenment that were happening at this time encouraged people to use reason to understand the world and improve life

​Bringing it back to the scientific revolution & Enlightenment

Enlightenment thinkers began to spread the idea that people had natural rights that belong to people at birth. Like the right to life, liberty, and property.

​Natural Rights

Multiple Choice

REVIEW: who first came up with the idea of life, liberty and property?

• John Locke
• Benjamin Franklin
• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson

These ideas and the people's frustration with Absolutism will lead to many revolutions across the world. Some of the revolutions we will talk about are: The American Revolution, The French Revolution, and the Haitian Revolution.

Revolutions