Absolutism, Enlightenment, Revolution

What is absolutism?

A system of government where a monarch holds total centralized power, often justified by divine right.

What powers did absolute monarchs control?

Laws, taxes, and the military.

How did monarchs limit the power of nobles?

They controlled or reduced noble power to prevent rebellion.

What rights did citizens have under absolutism?

Few or no political rights; ordinary people had little influence.

How did monarchs display their power?

Through art, architecture, ceremonies, and lavish palaces.

Give an example of an absolute monarch in France.

Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” built Versailles and forced nobles to live there.

Give an example of an absolute monarch in Russia.

Peter the Great modernized the army, introduced Western customs, and reduced boyar power.

What was the overall impact of absolutism?

Created strong, stable governments but limited freedoms and political participation.

What was the Enlightenment?

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, logic, and individual rights, challenging absolute monarchy.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe?

People are selfish and need a strong ruler to maintain order (Leviathan).

What were John Locke’s main ideas?

People have natural rights to life, liberty, and property; governments must protect these rights.

What did Montesquieu advocate?

Separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny.

What was Rousseau’s main idea?

The social contract: governments gain power from the consent of the governed.

What did Voltaire fight for?

Freedom of speech and religion.

What did Mary Wollstonecraft argue?

Women deserve equality, especially in education and politics.

How did the Enlightenment influence the world?

It challenged absolute rule, inspired revolutions in America, France, and Haiti, and influenced democratic constitutions and civil rights.

What caused the American Revolution?

Taxation without representation, British control, and Enlightenment ideas.

What caused the French Revolution?

Economic crisis, social inequality (Three Estates), Enlightenment influence, and the example of the American Revolution.

Name key events of the American Revolution.

Declaration of Independence (1776), Battles of Saratoga & Yorktown, Treaty of Paris (1783).

Name key events of the French Revolution.

Storming of the Bastille (1789), Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), Reign of Terror (1793–94), Napoleon rises (1799).

What were the outcomes of the American Revolution?

Creation of a stable democracy, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights protecting freedoms.

What were the outcomes of the French Revolution?

Overthrew the monarchy, spread revolutionary and nationalist ideas, temporary chaos, rise of Napoleon.

How did Enlightenment ideas impact both revolutions?

Both applied natural rights, equality, and representative government, showing that Enlightenment principles could reshape governments and societies.