Absolutism Chapter 2 MCQ PDF

Chapter 2.1; Absolutism 1. Foundations and justifications for Absolutism Divine right of Kings: Absolute monarchs justified their power by the divine right theory, which states that they were chosen by God and thus were accountable only to God, not their subjects or Parliamen...

Chapter 2.1; Absolutism 1. Foundations and justifications for Absolutism Divine right of Kings: Absolute monarchs justified their power by the divine right theory, which states that they were chosen by God and thus were accountable only to God, not their subjects or Parliament. Political Instability and Economic Changes: The chaos following the Reformation, along with economic changes from mercantilism (maximize exports and minimize imports), required strong central authority to stabilize states. 2. Key Figures and States Louis XIV of France (The Sun King): Louis the XIV is considered a perfect example of an absolute monarch. He centralized power in France, built the Palace of Versailles as a symbol of his rule, and exercised control over the nobility. His famous statement, “L’etat, c’est moi” (I am the state), reflects the essence of absolutism. Peter the Great of Russia: Peter modernized Russia by adopting Western technologies and cultures. He reformed the Russian military, administration, and social hierarchy, making himself the head of both the state and the Russian Orthodox Church. 3. Political Structures and Techniques of Absolute Monarchs Centralized Bureaucracy: Monarchs created strong centralized administrations to control local regions, oversee taxes, enforce laws, and maintain order. Control over Nobility: Absolute rulers often curtailed the power of the nobility to prevent challenges to their authority. Louis XIV, for example, required nobles to live at the palace of Versailles for certain periods of time to weaken their influence in their home regions. Military Expansion: Absolutist states maintained standing armies, and wars often aimed at expanding borders or asserting dominance. 4. Challenges to Absolutism England’s Exception: While other European states moved toward absolutism, England developed a constitutional monarchy. The English Civil War and Glorious Revolution limited monarchical power and established parliamentary supremacy - The Glorious Revolution replaces King James II with his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III of Orange. 5. Effects of Absolutism Economic Control: Many absolute rulers embraced mercantilism, a policy aiming to increase state power by controlling trade and building wealth. Cultural Patronage: Absolutism also impacted culture. Monarchs like Louis XIV promoted arts and culture to reinforce their authority and to display the grandeur of their rule. 6. Key Info (probably on test) Louis XIV of France: - Longest reign of any major European monarch (72 years) - Known for consolidating power and embodying absolute monarchy - Childhood influence: Mazarin (Chief Minister) served as regent, instilling Louis with ideas of absolute authority - Major Achievements - Centralized Power - Reduced Nobility’s power, imprisoned opposing nobles - Forced nobility to live at Versailles to keep them under close watch and limit influence - Built Versailles - Symbol of absolute power and wealth - Court life involved strict etiquette, with nobility required to attend and follow Louis’ guidelines - Versailles became a center for art and culture in France - Wars and Military - War of Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714), prevented a unified French-Spanish Empire - Economic Policies - Improved tax collection, raised taxes from 25% to 80% - Focused on mercantilism - Religious Policies - Revoked the Edict of Nantes (1685), ending tolerance for Huguenots (French Protestants) leading to a mass exodus of skilled workers. - Enforced Catholicism as the state religion to maintain unity - Legacy and Advice  - Advised successor to avoid excessive wars and not overspend or overtax Thirty Years War (1618-1648) - Causes: - Religious tension between Catholics and Protestants in the HRE - Political Power Struggles, particularly from the influence of the Habsburgs - Began with the Defenestration of Prague, where Protestant nobles threw Catholic officials out a window, symbolizing Protestant defiance against the Catholic Habsburg rule - Outcome - Treaty of Westphalia (1648): Ended war, establishing the principle of state sovereignty and allowing rulers to choose their states religion. - Weakened the HRE and Habsburgs’ control - Marked the end of large-scale religious wars in Europe and the beginning of nation-states. Roots of Absolutism in France - Henry IV (1589 - 1610) - Reduced power of the nobility and focused on strengthening the monarchy - Improved tax collection and reduced noble influence - Cardinal Richelieu (Under Louis XIII) - Established a strong centralized state - Weakened the power of the nobility and secured loyalty to the crown - Restricted Huguenot rights and fortified France’s military power - Cardinal Mazarin (Under Louis XIV) - Continued Richelieu’s policies of centralizing power - Suppressed the Fronde (a series of uprisings by nobles and townspeople against royal power). Important Wars - Dutch War (1672 - 1678): France vs Dutch Republic  - War of Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714): France vs a coalition led by England, Austria, and the Dutch Republic to prevent French dominance in Europe. - Thirty Years War (above) Key concepts - Absolutism: A political system in which the ruler holds absolute power, often justified with the Divine Right of Kings. - Divine Right of Kings: The belief that monarchs derive their authority from God. - Mercantilism: An economic system aimed at strengthening national economies by controlling trade (more exports less imports) and building wealth. - Edict of Nantes: Originally issued by Henry IV to grant religious freedom to Huguenots; revoked later on by Louis XIV (1685) which led to religious persecution - Fronde: A series of revolts in France against royal authority, impacting Louis XIV’s childhood and shaping his views on absolute rule.