Absolutism (with Complete Solutions)

Absolutism: Defined correct answers - Term defined in the 19th century - previous centuries didn't use it - Form of government in which the monarch has absolute power among his or her people Absolutism: Defined in detail correct answers - Unrestricted power over the sovereign state and its people - Monarchs often hereditary - Differs from a constitutional monarchy, in which a monarch's power is limited by a constitution - Funded by taxes (did not require approval from other institutions) Absolutism is about.... correct answers Centralization - taking power away from other groups Pre-Absolutist Period correct answers - Monarchs required the cooperation of troops, experienced restrictions from the pope, power depended on other groups Absolutism: Theory vs. Practice correct answers - In theory, absolute monarch exercises total power over the land, yet in practice, the monarchy is counterbalanced by political groups, social classes like the aristocracy, clergy, and middle/lower classes Divine Right of Kings correct answers - The theological justification for absolute monarchy - A king claimed supreme power by divine right - A king referred to divine law/sacred text like the Ten Commandments (vs. a despot who didn't refer to divine law) Famous Absolute Monarchs correct answers - Louis XIV of France () - Christian V of Denmark/Norway (1670-99) - Charles XI of Sweden (1660-99) - Frederick Williams, the Great Elector, of Bradenburg-Russia (1640-88) Making of Absolutism correct answers 17th century: saw the making of absolutism, especially in France - Estates-General fell into disuse after 1615, and its demise brought death to the principle that taxation requires the consent of the taxed Early Examples of Absolutism correct answers 1620s: Louis XIII subdued Huguenots in crusade that harnessed militant Catholicism to the service of the monarchy War with Spain correct answers 1630s: War wth Spain increased France's military capacity - troops could be used to suppress insurrection at home as well as defeat enemies abroad The Fronde correct answers - 1648 - A French civil war that paved the way to Absolutism because people wanted an orderly government