ACA Unit 11 Absolute & Limited Monarchs

Absolutism is—

• The idea that there is an important question that a monarch needs to force into law particularly when dealing with a female inheriting the throne.

• The idea that a monarch has direct power from God to rule and that they are responsible to God alone.

• The idea that a monarch has the authority to have complete and absolute control.

• The idea that a monarch has the ability to tell his subjects what they are to do in

  life.

An absolute monarch justified their power with the theory known as—

• balance of power

• Divine right

• pragmatic sanction

• regiment of grants

What political purpose did the splendid Palace of Versailles serve?

• To aid the artists of the time by displaying their works for others to see

• To show the power of Louis XIV and arouse envy of the other monarchs

• To reflect the religious faith of Louis XIV and give the appearance of strength and virtue

• To reflect Louis XIV’s ideas of westernization and his desire to modernize his country

"Rulers act as the ministers of God and as his lieutenants on earth. It is through them that God exercises his empire.... It appears from all this that the person of the king is sacred, and that to attack him is sacrilege.... The royal power is absolute. The prince needs [to] account for his acts to no one. Without this absolute authority, the king could neither do good nor repress evil. It is necessary that his power be such that no one can escape him, and the only protection of individuals against the public authority should be their innocence.... The prince, as prince, is not regarded as a private person: he is a public person, all the state is in him; the will of all the people is included in his."

-Bishop Jacques Bossuet (1627-1704)

Based on the quote, with which statement would Bishop Bossuet most likely agree?

• People have the right to overthrow an oppressive ruler.

• Kings should govern to maximize their own pleasure.

• Kings represent God's will on Earth.

• Kings derive their power from a social contract with their subjects.

Absolute monarchs, Philip II of Spain, Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of

Russia were all considered absolute rulers because they –

• broke from the Roman Catholic Church

• helped feudal lords build secure castles

• Instituted programs that gave more power to their parliaments.

• made government decisions without the consent of their people

Which quotation would most likely have been made by an absolute monarch?

• "It is the parliament that must make the laws."

• "The government must be based on a sound constitution."

• "The rights and prohibitions of the nation are joined with my body and reside in my hands alone. Public order in its entirety comes from me."

• "People in a state of nature are solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."

Speaker A: Although I spread serfdom in my country, I tried to modernize our society by adopting aspects of western technology.

Speaker B: I promoted culture with my support of the arts. Unfortunately, I drained my country's treasury by building my palace at Versailles and involving my country in costly wars.

Speaker C: I gained much wealth from my overseas empire in the Americas. I waged war against the Protestants and lost.

Speaker D: I inherited the throne and imprisoned my foes without a trial. I dissolved Parliament because I did not want to consult with them when I increased taxes.

Which speaker represents the view of King Louis XIV of France?

• Speaker A

• Speaker B

• Speaker C

• Speaker D

Speaker A: Although I spread serfdom in my country, I tried to modernize our society by adopting aspects of western technology.

Speaker B: I promoted culture with my support of the arts. Unfortunately, I drained my country's treasury by building my palace at Versailles and involving my country in costly wars.

Speaker C: I gained much wealth from my overseas empire in the Americas. I waged war against the Protestants and lost.

Speaker D: I inherited the throne and imprisoned my foes without a trial. I dissolved Parliament because I did not want to consult with them when I increased taxes.

Which nation was most likely governed by Speaker D?

• Russia

• France

• Spain

• England

Speaker A: Although I spread serfdom in my country, I tried to modernize our society by adopting aspects of western technology.

Speaker B: I promoted culture with my support of the arts. Unfortunately, I drained my country's treasury by building my palace at Versailles and involving my country in costly wars.

Speaker C: I gained much wealth from my overseas empire in the Americas. I waged war against the Protestants and lost.

Speaker D: I inherited the throne and imprisoned my foes without a trial. I dissolved Parliament because I did not want to consult with them when I increased taxes.

Which type of government is most closely associated with all of these speakers?

• Limited monarchy

• Democratic republic

• Absolute monarchy

• Direct democracy

In the 16th century, Elizabeth I created a strong absolute monarchy in England. Although Elizabeth’s reign was mostly successful, she had difficulties with which government institution?

• President

• Prime Minister

• Parliament

• Senate