The Age of Absolutism: 1550-1800

How does an absolute monarch gain, maintain and consolidate their power?
1 Objective: Describe the strategies autocrats and monarchs use to gain, maintain and consolidate their power.

What is an absolute monarchy?

absolute mon-/mono- -archy

complete or total one form of government

Absolute monarchy = system of government where one person has absolute control
Absolute monarch or an autocrat = person who rules an absolute monarchy (monarch, king, prince, etc.)
Absolutism = belief in the system of one ruler having absolute control

What questions do you have about how an absolute monarchy works?

None

What are the advantages of an absolute monarchy? What are the disadvantages of an absolute monarchy?

The less moving parts, the less of a chance for someone to If the ruler is not a good one, then it’s going to be hard to
do wrong deal with.
How does an absolute monarch MAINTAIN and CONSOLIDATE power?
Directions: Using the image below, respond to the questions about how monarchs maintain and consolidate their power. Type your answers in red.

Based on this image, list the strategies monarchs use to MAINTAIN and
CONSOLIDATE their power.
Limit the power of nobles, create laws and dispense justice, approve/deny
what works for them, control religious authorities, and use armies to keep
the borders.

In the image, it reads, “[the ruler] circumvents (finds a way around), ignores,
or uses assemblies to approve or rubber-stamp the ruler’s initiatives.” Why
would an absolute monarch circumvent [ignore] getting approval on their
initiatives and laws?
If it is something that does not benefit them, they don’t have to approve it.

In the image, it reads, “ [the ruler] limits or controls the power of the
nobles.” The nobles are the landowning upper class people. Why would an
absolute monarch focus his energy on controlling this class of people?
So they won’t be able to cause problems for him.

In the image, it reads, “[the ruler] controls religious authorities”. The

religious authorities were the clergy in the Catholic Church. How does
controlling the religious authorities allow the absolute monarch to maintain
or consolidate power?
It gives them power to use the religions influence.
Source: NYS Global History and Geography Regents Exam, June, 2012.
How does an absolute monarch GAIN power?

DIVINE RIGHT is the belief that an absolute monarch’s authority to rule came directly from God.
Since the king received his authority to rule directly from God, this meant:
● The king has the 'right' to rule completely and totally without approval from the people
● The king is God’s representative on earth
● Only God can judge the king
DIVINE RIGHT is the belief that an absolute monarch’s authority to rule came directly from God.
Since the king received his authority to rule directly from God, this meant:
● The king has the 'right' to rule completely and totally without approval from the people
● The king is God’s representative on earth
● Only God can judge the king

A DEO REX, A REGE LEX — “The king is

from God, and law is from the king.”
--James I

Based on these words from King James I,

why might people be more likely to follow
the King’s laws?
They would not go against God.

The frontispiece of the book Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes;

engraving by Abraham Bosse (1650)

Charles I, being crowned by a hand from a

What do you notice in this image? James I possibly by God (1600s)
cloud,
A big man with a sword and what looks to be a staff.
How does this image of Charles I
What does this image reveal about how people may demonstrate the idea of divine right?
have viewed absolute monarchs? It shows a divine being directly crowning
I think it is trying to say that they were like beings Charles l.
who had absolute power over them, kind of like a
god.
 Jacques Benigne Bossuet (1679), Politics Derived from Holy Writ
Directions: Read the excerpts of Bossuet’s writing below, then respond to the questions.
*Note: royal power, prince, king, king’s authority are all synonyms for absolute monarch

Excerpt Question
1 Rulers then act as the ministers of God and On lines 1-2, what does the phrase, “Rulers then act as the ministers of God and as his lieutenants on
2 as his lieutenants on earth. It is through them earth” mean?
It means that the rulers are chosen by god, like his subordinates.
3 that God exercises his empire [...]
4

5 Kings should tremble then as they use the According to lines 5-9, who can punish a king for misusing their power?
6 power God has granted them; and let them God
7 think how horrible is the sacrilege if they use
8 for evil a power which comes from God.
9

10 The royal power is absolute [...] According to lines 11-12, who checks or regulates the power of the absolute monarch?
No one besides himself
11 The prince need render account of his acts
According to lines 13-14, what does the phrase, “It is necessary that his power be such that no one can hope
12 to no one [...] to escape him” mean?
It means that no one would dare to go against him.
13 It is necessary that his power be such that no
14 one can hope to escape him [...]

15 The power of God makes itself felt in a According to lines 6-14, to whom does Bossuet compare the absolute monarch?
16 moment from one extremity of the earth to God
17 another. Royal power works at the same
18 time throughout all the realm. It holds all the According to Bossuet, what would happen if there was no absolute leader?
19 realm in position, as God holds the earth. Everything would be in confusion
20 Should God withdraw his hand, the earth
21 would fall to pieces; should the king's
22 authority cease in the realm, all would be in
23 confusion. [...]
Source: J.H. Robinson, ed., Readings in European History 2 vols. (Boston: Ginn, 1906), 2:273-277.
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/111boss.html