Absolutism, Constitutionalism, & The Enlightenment

Absolute Monarchy

Kings or Queens could control all aspects of society

Divine Right of Kings

Europe’s belief that God chose their leaders without consent of the people. They answer to only God, not their subjects.

Why absolute monarchs were able to come to power?

People were looking for strong leaders to end religious wars and restore order after the chaos of the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War.

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchs

Large Royal courts & building projects, tried to control the religion of their people, and stripped nobles of their power.

King Louis XIV

A prominent absolute monarch of France, known for his long reign and the phrase "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state), which exemplified his belief in absolute rule.

Philip II

The absolute monarch of Spain who ruled during the 16th century, known for his extensive empire, strong Catholic faith, and conflicts with England and the Ottoman Empire.

Peter the Great

An absolute monarch of Russia, known for his efforts to modernize and westernize the country, expanding its territory and reforming the government and military.

Maria Theresa

The only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions, she reigned in the 18th century and implemented significant reforms in administration, military, and education while maintaining her family's power.

How did the Stuart family come to power in England?

The Stuart family ascended to the English throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, as James VI of Scotland, a Stuart, was declared her successor, uniting the crowns of England and Scotland.

How did the Stuart families beliefs challenge the English government?

Religious issues

Charles I

was the king of England, Scotland, and Ireland whose reign saw conflicts with Parliament, leading to the English Civil War and his eventual execution in 1649.

The English Civil War

Royalists (Charles I) vs. Parliament

Causes of the English Civil War

Power, religion, & economic policy

Outcome of the English Civil War

The execution of Charles I, the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, and the temporary abolition of the monarchy.

Why was King Charles I’s death so revolutionary?

It was the first time a reigning monarch had been publicly tried, convicted of treason, and executed.

Oliver Cromwell

A military and political leader who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War and later became the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England.

The Restoration

the period in 1660 when the monarchy was restored in England under Charles II after the Commonwealth.

Glorious Revolution

Parliament offered the throne to James II’s daughter, Mary and her husband, William of Orange. James II fled to France with no blood shed.

Constitutional Monarchy

The power of the king is limited by Parliament

What did the English Bill of Rights bring to the structure of the government?

Separation of powers and enhanced the democratic election

Enlightenment Period

Intellectual movement in which people started to think for themselves and use reason to guide their life.

Philosophes

People who believed in the Enlightenment Ideas

Tomas Hobbes

Absolute Monarchy. Humans are selfish, nasty, brutal, and greedy.

John Locke

Limited government/Constitutional Monarchy. People are born as a blank slate, they develop based on experiences. They also have natural rights. (life, liberty, & property)

Locke’s Social Contract

The government should protect natural rights if not, they will be overthrown.

Montesquieu & modern democracy

American constitution (Checks & Balances)

Rousseau & modern democracy

The idea of popular sovereignty (people rule)

Voltaire & modern democracy

1st amendment of the US constitution