Absolutism & Autocratic Rule (5/2)

Absolutism &
Autocratic Rule

Learning Target

I can identify what an absolute monarchy is, the causes that led to absolute rule,
analyze Louis XIV and Peter the Great’s leadership, by the end of the lesson.

What is Absolutism?

-Look at the word Absolutism, and turn to someone close to you and try to
hypothesize its meaning.

absolute

mon-/mono-

-archy

complete or total

one

form of government

Breakdown:

Absolute monarchy = form of government where one person has
absolute control

Absolute monarch or an autocrat =person who rules in an absolute
monarchy (monarch, king, prince, etc.)

Absolutism/Autocratic Rule

This is the opposite of a constitutional government or
democracy, like what can be seen in the United States today.

- Absence of Checks and Balances

Open Ended

Would you want to live under an absolute monarchy? Why or why not?

Absolutism/Autocratic Rule

-Absolutism was closely tied into the idea of having divine right.

-Centralization of Power was another characteristic of
absolutism.

Open Ended

What do you think Divine Right means?

Divine Right

-Divine Right= belief that the authority to rule
comes directly from God

-Rulers can not be held accountable for
their actions by any earthly authority.

-Example of this is that the Pope rules over
the Catholic Church by divine appointment

Power of a Monarch

- Absolute monarchs had great

power

-Make Laws

-Levy taxes

-Control the justice system (courts)

-Control State officials

-Determine foreign and domestic
policy.

Open Ended

What specific events had occurred or were occurring that would lead people to support Absolutist Rule?

What led to Absolutism?

-Many looked to the monarch for political stability

-This is echoed in Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, which states that people by
nature look for leadership for law and order.

-A Social Contract between the ruled and ruler.

-Individuals will sacrifice their rights to the government/ monarchy if they
receive

-Protection

-Prestige (respect, honor)

-Pride

Louis XIV vs. Peter the Great Activity

-Students will be broken into small groups to analyze both Louis XIV and
Peter the Great.

-Your name card has a number on it you will be working with other students
that have the same number on their name card.

-The number will reflect the sections you are going to be completing on the
graphic organizer.

-You will all be editing the same document so do not stray from your section.

Link To Graphic Organizer:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tFN7GE31-VzUMijarNoeG-KUkQ6SUHLd1jypnFJKn1o/edit?usp=sharing

Louis XIV

Gain Power(1)

Consolidate Power(2)

Maintain Power(3)

Important Details of their reign(4)

Peter the Great

Gain Power(1)

Consolidate Power(2)

Maintain Power(3)

Important Details of their reign(4)

Louis XIV (completed)

Gain Power(1)

Consolidate Power(2)

Maintain Power(3)

Important Details of their reign(4)

​- succeeded his father to the throne

- He received practical education rather than a scholarly one

-Observing Mazarin until his death and assuming full responsibility for the Kingdom

​- Centralized control of France

-administrative reforms- forcing nobles to relinquish their former political influence

-Created the palace of Versailles to house and control the nobility.

​- Constantly had France at War

- Expanded territorial claims through military force

- Efforts to establish religious uniformity

​- Public support quickly went from hailing Louis XIV as a hero to blaming him for France's financial devastation

-Spain, England, and the Holy Roman Empire formed the Grand Alliance and came together to fight a war between France

-Wanted to expand France's territories, but keep the status quo and French society the same.

Peter the Great (completed)

Gain Power(1)

Consolidate Power(2)

Maintain Power(3)

Important Details of their reign(4)

​- co-ruled with his brother Ivan until he died

-Focused on the development of science

-Created a strong navy, reorganized the army, secularized schools, and greater control over the Orthodox Church

​- abolished Russia's previous form of government and appointed a viable (working successfully) Senate

-Regulated all branches of the administration

-Moved the Capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg

​- acquired territory in Estonia, Latvia, and Finland, and secured access to the Black Sea

-Immediately suppressed revolts

​- Modernized the Russian alphabet

-introduced the Julian calendar

-Would impose high taxes that often led to revolts from citizens

-His oldest son, Alexis, was convicted of high treason by his father and was executed

-Wanted to transform and modernize Russia. New ways of life.

Similarities & Differences

Louis XIV and Peter the Great Similarities

-consolidated power to create and maintain Absolute Power
-removed the nobility from government positions and replaced them with intendants drawn from the
commoners
-restricting their power and customs
-fought many wars to protect and promote the growth of their respective countries
-Both created new centers of power within their nations to better control the nobles

(Versailles and St. Petersburg)

Louis XIV and Peter the Great Differences

-Peter the Great's main goal was to improve Russia and move it into a new age and a new way of life,
change was good

Louis XIV's main goal was to expand France's territories and keeping his power, keeping the status quo

Wrap Up- Exit Ticket

• Can you identify...

  • What an Absolute Monarchy is

  • The causes that led to Absolute Rule

  • Why Louis XIV and Peter the Great are considered to be Absolute Monarchs

• Follow the Google Forms link to complete the exit ticket

  • https://forms.gle/Mzz83tDgUa1GmH937

Homework- For Next Class

-Look over the “Absolute Rule Part 2 Question set”

-Start to complete the questions.

-This is Regents practice for next year

-You will be looking for historical context, points of view, and cause
and effect relationship.

-Make a copy of the assignment to edit

​Homework Link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CqajH1sFFIJ25HF9tlMIqKfYOZaIDQCyvcAH7qDwb9Q/edit?usp=sharing