Absolutism and Enlightenment

Finals Study

Absolutism

Complete Royal power held by a monarch without constitutional limitations, where the ruler's authority is considered divine or absolute.

Philosophe

Enlightenment thinker

Social Contract

Agreement between government and citizens that outlines mutual obligations and the rights of individuals in a society.

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority

Divine right

Belief that King’s rule by God’s authority to govern without accountability to the people.

Thomas Hobbes

Supported strong government to maintain order and prevent chaos, believed in absolute monarchy as the best form of governance.

John Locke

Natural rights: Life, Liberty, property that government must protect

Voltaire

Religious freedom and free speech were central to his philosophy, advocating for civil liberties and criticizing intolerance and dogma.

Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny and promote liberty.

Catherine the Great

Enlightened ruler of Russia who expanded the empire and implemented various reforms to modernize the country.

Phillip II

King of Spain known for his absolutist rule, he was a prominent figure in the Counter-Reformation and oversaw the Spanish Armada's attempted invasion of England.

Louis XIV

Also known as the Sun King, he ruled France for more than 70 years and is famous for consolidating power and establishing absolute monarchy

Peter the Great

Modernized Russia by adopting Western technologies and reforms.

Galileo

Supported Heliocentric theory and is considered the father of modern physics.

Isaac newton

Developed laws of motion and gravity

How did the rise of absolute monarchs occur?

• Built strong armies.

• Controlled nobles.

• Centralized government.

• Claimed divine right.

The scientific revolution

• Observation and experimentation.

• Scientific method.

• Challenged Church teachings.

Enlightenment ideas for government

• Consent of the governed.

• Natural rights.

Enlightenment ideas for economics

• Free markets.

Enlightenment ideas for education

• Rational thinking.

Enlightenment ideas for religion

• Religious tolerance.