ABSO - Of Kings and Gods: Absolutism in Europe. (Lesson)

Of Kings and Gods: Absolutism in Europe.

 

The Theory of Absolutism.

According to Thomas Hobbes:

Seeking individual security, individuals would enter into a type of contract with their ruler, surrendering their rights in exchange for protection. A ruler's will thus became the almost sacred embodiment of the state.

According to Bishop Jacques Boussuet:

Did you know? Divine Right In Europe, Divine Right is the belief that God has ORDAINED the person to rule, it is not the same as the Eastern belief in Divine Right that the ruler IS a god. The ruler's authority comes from God alone. His role is to be absolute (independent of human authority) and paternal . . .He is responsible for looking after the needs of his people. Government was to be absolute but not arbitrary. There are limits on him imposed by reason through laws and traditions. (Divine Right)

 

Characteristics of Absolutist Monarchies.

  • Nobles accept the king's authority in exchange for land ownership and privilege in society (in France, the king could monitor the legitimacy of all noble titles and could confiscate property of nobility).
  • Concentration of governing power in the hands of the monarch and a centralized bureaucracy to support him.
  • Large standing state army that is maintained through a large portion of the budget; even in peacetime, expenditures tended to be 1/2 the budget.
  • Raised revenues through the sale of monopolies in industries and trade as well as tariffs and taxes.
  • Had a desire to add to their dynastic domains and prestige.
  • Had an alliance with the established church: the church helped to build the image of the king while the king helped rid the threat of religious minorities. They also hold power over the religious authority of their states.

4 main signs of an Absolutist:

  • Strong, central authority that controls all aspects of the state
  • Large standing armies, even in peacetime
  • Divine Right
  • Built Grand Palaces to awe and inspire*

Top Images from left to right - Versailles, Escorial Bottom image - St Petersburg

*Louis XIV built Versailles in France, Philip II built the Escorial in Spain, and Peter the Great took it one step further by building an entire city in Russia.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.

VERSAILLES PHOTOGRAPH BY PIERRE COROLLER VIA FLICKR
EL ESCORIAL PHOTOGRAPH BY ENRIQUE CAMPO VIA FLICKR
ST. PETERSBURG PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIIL DROZDOV VIA FLICKR