Absolutism and The English Monarchy

Questions and Answers

What was John Locke's belief regarding government?

The government should control every aspect of life.

Governments should have unlimited power.

Revolting against the government is never justified.

People have natural rights that must be protected. (correct)

Which idea is attributed to Montesquieu?

Separation of government powers into branches. (correct)

Power should be centralized in a single authority.

Governments should focus on economic growth.

Religious institutions should control political power.

How did Locke influence the U.S. Constitution?

By suggesting an absence of government.

By promoting the idea of social contracts.

By introducing the concept of natural rights. (correct)

By advocating for a monarchy.

What system did the Founding Fathers create to avoid the issues of absolutism?

A system of checks and balances. Signup and view all the answers

What does Voltaire advocate for?

Freedom of speech and religious tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

What key principle stems from Montesquieu's philosophy?

The division of government into three branches. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes absolutism from other forms of government?

Monarchs exercise total control without checks or balances. Signup and view all the answers

Locke believed that if a government fails to protect natural rights, the people have the right to:

Revolt against the government. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main ideas promoted by Thomas Hobbes regarding governance?

Strong rulers are necessary to prevent societal chaos. Signup and view all the answers

How are Montesquieu's ideas reflected in the American government today?

By implementing a system of checks and balances. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Locke's ideas directly influenced the Declaration of Independence?

The recognition of natural rights. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the English Monarchy as a result of the Glorious Revolution?

The monarch agreed to share power with Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

The Magna Carta was significant because it:

Limited the king's power and set legal principles. Signup and view all the answers

Which belief is NOT associated with Enlightenment thinkers?

Support for absolute rule. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Enlightenment challenge traditional views of authority?

By advocating for reason and individual rights over tradition. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is NOT associated with the principles of governance laid down by the English experience?

Adoption of absolute monarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a constitutional monarchy compared to absolutism?

The monarch shares power with Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common outcome of the English Civil War?

The temporary abolition of the monarchy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the role of citizens in an absolutist regime?

Citizens' rights and freedoms are heavily restricted. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Enlightenment thinkers advocate as a challenge to monarchic rule?

Personal freedoms and individual rights. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Absolutism

Definition: A political system where monarchs possess total authority over government and citizens, often justified by the Divine Right of Kings.
Features: Monarchs control laws, taxes, military, and religion without checks or balances, leading to limited citizen participation and heavily regulated rights.

Key Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes argued in "Leviathan" that humans are naturally selfish. He advocated for Absolutism as a means to prevent chaos and maintain order.

The English Monarchy

The English Monarchy consisted of royal families governing England, Scotland, Ireland, and intermittently France.
Transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, where power is shared with Parliament.

Historical Milestones

Magna Carta (1215): The inaugural document restricting royal power and establishing legal principles.
English Civil War (1642-1651): A significant conflict between the monarchy and Parliament, resulting in the temporary abolition of the monarchy.
Glorious Revolution (1688): King James II was overthrown, leading to a constitutional monarchy where power was shared with Parliament.

Influences on American Governance

The English monarchy experience influenced American principles, notably the concepts of limited governmental power and the importance of representative governance.

The Enlightenment

A 17th-18th century movement emphasizing reason, individual rights, and science over tradition while advocating for personal freedoms against autocratic rule.

Key Enlightenment Thinkers

John Locke: Promoted the idea of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and asserted that government exists to protect these rights. If it fails, the people can revolt.
Montesquieu: Introduced the concept of separating government powers into branches to prevent concentration of power.
Voltaire: Championed freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and criticized absolutism.

Impact on American Government

Locke’s philosophy directly influenced the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, particularly regarding natural rights and government by consent.
Montesquieu’s notion of separation of powers informed the structure of the U.S. government, comprising executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The Founding Fathers developed a system of checks and balances to mitigate the risks of absolutism and maintain a balance of power among branches of government.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of Absolutism, focusing on the English Monarchy and its implications during the Enlightenment. Delve into the characteristics of this political system and understand the Divine Right of Kings. Test your knowledge on how these ideas influenced American Government.