Absolutism & The Enlightenment

What is Absolutism?

-> Example

A political system where one ruler holds all of the power over the government and the people

King Lois XIV(14th) of FRance built the Palace of Versailles to showcase his power

Lockes ideas vs Hobbes

Locke thought people were basically reasonable, moral & had natural rights.

Hobbes believed in a powerful government, argued that people were naturally greedy, cruel, selfish, and if not strictly controlled they would fight & rob each other

Social Contract

A hypothetical agreement between members of a society that spells out the obligations, functions, and rights of each person agreeing to the contract.

Divine right

The belief that a monarchs authority is derived directly from God and not from the people

Mary Wollstonecraft

Enlightenment writer + philosopher from England, wrote the book "Vindication of the Rights of Women" and argued that there should be equality among men and women.

voltaire

Wrote about freedom of speech, argued that government could not control what you say, wrote essays and letters and inspired freedom of speech in the bill of rights.

Rousseau

Philosopher and writer, created concept of the General Will, social contract, and education among everyone.

Montesquieu

Social commentator and political thinker, his masterwork was "The Spirit of Laws" which had a major influence on English and American goverment.

Adam Smith

Philosopher and economist, called the father of economics or capitalism, his work laid the foundation for modern economic theory and free markets

Salons

Formal social gatherings driven by discussion about literature, politics, and philosophy, these private events helped circulate and popularise revolutionary ideas.

Absolute Monarch

Rules w/ total power, uses divine right to justify authority, focuses on strengthening the state and there own power at the expense of individual rights

Enlightend Despot

Example

Holds absolute power, implements reforms to improve society for the peoples benefit

Fredrick the Great of Prussia promoted religious tolerance, reformed the legal system, and encouraged education

What challenges did England face during its "Century of Revolution & what were the outcomes by 1690?

Conflicts between the monarchy & parliament (Kings believed in divine right, parliament didn't)

Outcomes were religious tensions, English Civil war, Glorious Rev

Significance of the Petition of Right

Limiting the monarchs power by asserting parliamentary control over taxation, guaranteeing individual rights like protection against imprisonment & a military rule

Why was the balace of power created?

To prevent any European nation from dominating the region of Europe economically or militarily

Fredrick the Great can most accuratly be described as what despot?

Enlightend

Where did King Louis rule in?

France

Who said "Men are born free, but everywhere they are in chains"?

Rousseau

Who said "Common sense is not so common"?

Voltaire

Who is most associated with the preservation of life, liberty, and property?

Jhon Locke

What city was most associated with the Englightenment?

Paris

Who was most associated with the rise of Prussia as a major European power?

Fredrick the Great

Who said "Virtue can only flourish among equals"?

Mary Wollstonecraft

Whose view on natural rights & the social contract was the foundation of the American revolution?

Jhon Locke

Who believed in separation of powers

Montesquie

Who ruled Russia?

Peter & Cathrine the Great

Who moved most of the most powerful nobility in France to the palace of versailles?

Louis XIV

Leading figures in the revolution in America and France

Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Paine

Provided many safegaurds against absolute rule in England

English Bill of Rights

What was Englands form of government since 1690?

A constitutional monarchy

Designed to prevent any European nation from dominating the region of Europe economically or militarily

Balance of Power

Had a large territory in what would become America named after him

Louis XIV