Absolute monarchy

absolute monarchy

1. ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTE
MONARCHYMONARCHY

2. ABSOLUTE MONARCHYABSOLUTE MONARCHY
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Absolute monarchy or despotic monarchy is a Absolute monarchy or despotic monarchy is a
monarchical from of government in which the monarchical from of government in which the
monarch has absolute power among his or her monarch has absolute power among his or her
people.people.
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An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political
power over the sovereign state and its people.power over the sovereign state and its people.
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An absolute monarch exercises total power over An absolute monarch exercises total power over
the land, yet in practise the monarchy is the land, yet in practise the monarchy is
counterbalanced by political groups from among counterbalanced by political groups from among
the social groups from among the social classes the social groups from among the social classes
and castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy, and castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy,
clergy, and middle and lower classes.clergy, and middle and lower classes.

3. ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY IN
EUROPEEUROPE
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Througthout much of European history, the Througthout much of European history, the
divine right of kings was the theological divine right of kings was the theological
justification for absolute monarchy.justification for absolute monarchy.
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Many european monarchs, such as those of Many european monarchs, such as those of
Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by
divine right, and that their subjects had no rights divine right, and that their subjects had no rights
to limit their power.to limit their power.

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EUROPE EUROPE
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James VI of Scotland (later also James VI of Scotland (later also
James I of England) and his son James I of England) and his son
Charles I of Scotland and England Charles I of Scotland and England
tried to import this principle. Charles tried to import this principle. Charles
tried to apply the episcopal polity on tried to apply the episcopal polity on
the Church of Scotland and it led to the Church of Scotland and it led to
rebellion by the Covenanters and the rebellion by the Covenanters and the
Bishops’ wars. Then he fears that Bishops’ wars. Then he fears that
Charles I was attempting to establish Charles I was attempting to establish
absolutists governments along absolutists governments along
European lines. It was a major cause European lines. It was a major cause
of the English Civil War.of the English Civil War.
James VI of ScotlandJames VI of Scotland

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EUROPEEUROPE
Charles I of Scotland and EnglandCharles I of Scotland and England

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EUROPEEUROPE
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In the 19th Century, the Divine right was In the 19th Century, the Divine right was
considered as an absolute theory in the majority considered as an absolute theory in the majority
of the countries in the Western world, except in of the countries in the Western world, except in
Russia, were it was still given credence as the Russia, were it was still given credence as the
official justification for the Czar’s power.official justification for the Czar’s power.
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There are differents opinions by historians about There are differents opinions by historians about
the extent of absolutism among european the extent of absolutism among european
monarchs. monarchs.
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Perry Anderson argue that some monarchs Perry Anderson argue that some monarchs
archieved levels of absolute control over their archieved levels of absolute control over their
states, while other historians, such as Roger states, while other historians, such as Roger
Mettam dispute the same concept of absolutism. Mettam dispute the same concept of absolutism.

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EUROPE: FranceEUROPE: France
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The monarch Louis XIV of The monarch Louis XIV of
France (1638-1715) proclamed France (1638-1715) proclamed
`L’état, c’est moi’ (I’m the state). `L’état, c’est moi’ (I’m the state).
He said that the interests of the He said that the interests of the
state come first. state come first.
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He ruled in France for a log He ruled in France for a log
period, and some historians period, and some historians
considered him a successful considered him a successful
absolute monach. absolute monach.
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He concentrated in his person He concentrated in his person
legislative, executive and legislative, executive and
judicial powers.judicial powers.

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EUROPE: FranceEUROPE: France
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One of the steps to One of the steps to
creating an absolute creating an absolute
monarchy in France monarchy in France
was to build the was to build the
Palace of Palace of
Versailles, where he Versailles, where he
lived with many of lived with many of
his nobles and other his nobles and other
important people.important people.
Palace of VersaillesPalace of Versailles

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EUROPE: Denmark-NorwayEUROPE: Denmark-Norway
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Absolutism was underpinned by a written Absolutism was underpinned by a written
constitution for the first time in Europe in the 1665 constitution for the first time in Europe in the 1665
Kongeloven ("King's Law") of Denmark-Norway,
who ordered that the Monarch shall from this day
forth be revered and considered the most perfect
and supreme person on the Earth by all his
subjects. This law consequently authorized the king
to abolish all other centers of power. Most important
was the abolition of the Council of the Realm.

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EUROPE: PrussiaEUROPE: Prussia
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The concept of absolute The concept of absolute
monach took a notable turn. monach took a notable turn.
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Frederick William (1640-Frederick William (1640-
1688), known as the Great 1688), known as the Great
Elector, that consolidated his Elector, that consolidated his
territories into the dominant territories into the dominant
kingdom in Northern kingdom in Northern
Germany.Germany.
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City leaders often revolted at City leaders often revolted at
the electorate authority. the electorate authority.
Frederick crushed this revolt Frederick crushed this revolt
in 1662.in 1662.

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EUROPE: RussiaEUROPE: Russia
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Until 1905 the Tsars of Russia Until 1905 the Tsars of Russia
governed as absolute governed as absolute
monarchs.monarchs.
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The tradition of absolutism, The tradition of absolutism,
known as the Tsarist autocracy, known as the Tsarist autocracy,
was expanded by Catherine II was expanded by Catherine II
the Great and her descendents. the Great and her descendents.
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Russia didn’t have a Russia didn’t have a
representative assembly or a representative assembly or a
constitution until the 1905 constitution until the 1905
Revolution. Revolution.
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Russia became the last Russia became the last
european country to abolished european country to abolished
absolutism.absolutism.

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EUROPE: SwedenEUROPE: Sweden
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The form of government is commonly The form of government is commonly
referred to as absolute monarchy, referred to as absolute monarchy,
however, the monarch still ruled under the however, the monarch still ruled under the
law and could only legislate in agreement law and could only legislate in agreement
with the Riksdad of the Estates.with the Riksdad of the Estates.

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By Azucena Montalvo 2º ABy Azucena Montalvo 2º A