Absolutism
The Big Change
- Feudal monarchy had been a balance between kings and nobles
- Kings no longer wanted advice, they wanted power
- Became known as absolute monarchs
Definition of Absolutism
- Divine right theory
- King was God's representative on Earth (Like the Aztecs and Ancient Egypt)
- Obedience to king = Obedience to God
- King could do NO wrong
Characteristics of Absolutism
- Title was inherited
- King controls:
** Lawmaking body
** People had no voice
Absolute Monarchs
Louis XIV (France)
(1643) Known for:
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Peter the Great (Russia)
(1696-1725) "Westernized" Russia:
(1696-1725)
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Catherine the Great (Russia)
(1762-1796) Known for:
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Queen Elizabeth I (England)
(1558-1603) Known for:
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Philosophers
Thomas Hobbes:
** Governments are established to protect people from their natural selfishness
- Born in 1588 in England
- Beliefs of Hobbes:
** Governments are established to protect people from their natural selfishness
Jean Rousseau:
** Social contract-government gets its power from relationship with its people
** If the government fails, then the people should change it
- Born in France
- Basic Beliefs:
** Social contract-government gets its power from relationship with its people
** If the government fails, then the people should change it
John Locke:
** Natural rights we are born with such as life, liberty, and property (LLP)
- Born in England in 1622
- Basic beliefs:
** Natural rights we are born with such as life, liberty, and property (LLP)
Baron de Montesquieu:
** Limiting power so no tyranny would develop
- Born in France, 1639
- Basic Beliefs:
** Limiting power so no tyranny would develop
Voltaire:
** Freedom of Speech: " I disapprove of what you say ,but I defend to the death your right to say it"
- Born in France 1694
- Basic Beliefs:
** Freedom of Speech: " I disapprove of what you say ,but I defend to the death your right to say it"
Cesare Beccaria:
** Protect the rights of the accused
** Punishment should fit the crime
- Born in Italy, 1738
- Basic Beliefs:
** Protect the rights of the accused
** Punishment should fit the crime