Absolutism and Enlightenment

KEY CONCEPTS

⦿ • Absolute monarch: Unlimited power in the hands of

the King and his advisors. The ruler’s power was not
limited by having to consult with nobles, common
people, or their representatives.

⦿ • Divine Right: The political idea that monarchs

receive their power directly from God and are
responsible only to God for their actions. This
allowed monarchs to go unchallenged by their
subjects.

⦿ • Balance of Power: Each nation helps to keep peace

and order by maintaining power that is equal to rival
nations.

⦿ • Dynasty: This is a family that governs a country

based on the idea of divine right passed down from
one generation to the next.

Study this painting of
Louis XIV
by Pierre
Mignard.
Write down 3 details
that could illustrate
the concepts of absolutism
and divine right.

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS OF EUROPE

⦿ Philip II – Spain

⦿ Tudor & Stuart Dynasties – England

⦿ Louis XIV – France

⦿ Frederick the Great – Prussia

⦿ Peter the Great & Catherine the Great- Russia

PHILIP II - SPAIN

9

THE ESCORIAL, PHILIP II’S PALACE

​Reign: 1713-1740

​Meanwhile in Austria....

​The War of Austrian Succession was ended by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. This ceded Silesia to Prussia, but returned all other land that had been invaded by the other countries.

​Peter the Great's grandson, Peter III, became the new ruler after his death. Peter III married a German girl named Catherine. Peter was an unpopular and incompetent ruler. This led to Catherine orchestrating a coup against him and becoming the monarch of Russia.

​The Stuart Dynasty

​Rousseau

• Members of the Govt. should be elected by the people.

​He is considered the Father of Capitalism