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The Age of Absolutism DBQ
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The Age of Absolutism was a time where a strong centralized government was created, and the ruler of a nation dominated over both upper and lower classes as well as the Church. But although the rulers were able to enjoy their unlimited power, they neglected the rest of their responsibilities as a monarch to pursue their own self-centered desires instead. By depending on the whims of a single person, it places the general good of everyone and everything at risk. Through the French, English, and Russian Age of Absolutism, religious dilemmas, financial and social crises, and aggression plagued these countries and jeopardized the happiness of the people and the prosperity of the nation itself. Absolute rulers were considered God’s representatives …show more content…
Louis XIV of France was the role model for absolutism, and since he was absolute, nobody could question his laws. He was a devout Catholic, so he undid his grandfather, Henry of Navarre’s, work by revoking the Edict of Nantes that legalized Protestantism, and this prominently displays his inflexibility and inability to compromise. He restricted Protestant rights and took down Protestant churches and schools; he completely disregarded his people in the process and instead focused on fulfilling his own desires. England, however, was much worse. Although Elizabeth created peace between Catholics and Protestants, her successors created a rift instead. Although the majority of the population was Protestant, including Parliament, Elizabeth’s successors, the Stuarts, were all pro-French and therefore, …show more content…
Louis XIV was an ambitious, but inefficient king. Although he was the first modern military power with a large army and advanced training and weaponry, he failed spectacularly in his disastrous wars. The fact that his army was so progressive only accentuates his failures in war and the impact they had. His selfishness blinded him to the domestic affairs that plagued France, and in the end, his wars were a great source of suffering for the people. The nation was already weakened by poor harvests, which meant less food for everyone, and these wars further bankrupted the country not only because they were expensive, but also because France was forced to lose some possessions, which meant higher taxes for the peasants. He would pay whatever the cost may be to satisfy his need for more land and power, even if the price was the wellness of the lives he was supposed to protect. However, Louis was not the only absolute monarch to do this; the English monarchs also did the same. Not only were there foreign rebellions but there was also a civil war, which shows that these absolute monarchs were unfit for the responsibility of being king. Under the regime of most of these leaders, revolts were common, and this obviously portrays the neglect the people felt from
The French revolted due to political, economic, and social injustices. Politically, the government was a mess. An absolute ruler can only be beneficial to the people if they cater to
The Edict of Nantes had given Protestants, or Huguenots, in France the ability to practice their religion without fear of violence or persecution. Enacted in the late 1500s in an effort to resemble France after the destruction of the French Wars of Religion, the Edict of Nantes served as a means to unite the French population and end the violence that often accompanied religious persecution. Louis’ decision to revoke such a peace-promoting edict, in an effort to homogenize his country and align his subjects with his own beliefs, clearly illustrates his giving of priority to his own agenda, as opposed to that which would best benefit his country. However, while the claim that the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes was detrimental to French society, seems to be disproven by Doc 6, which essentially asserts that the king’s revocation has resulted in the rapid conversion of “whole towns” and describes the king as “the invincible hero destined to… destroy the terrible monster of heresy”, the author’s inherently biased point of view must be addressed. This description, which could be used as evidence to support the fact that Louis did act in interest of the state, must be taken with a grain of salt as the author himself, a member of the Assembly of the Clergy, does not even have the best interest of the state in mind; rather, he is
O: Rage and revolt can describe the country of France at the time of the Revolution faced because of turmoil and struggle they faced. Different estates were formed based on what you did and your class in society. The people of society wanted more say in the government and decisions that King Louis XVI made. The public didn't approve with much of what King Louis did. His lack of ability to be a strong king and leader affected his reputation to the public eye. King Louis was tried for committing treason to the country of France. Treason is the attempt to kill a sovereign and overthrow the government. Some of the reasons were his attempt to flee to Varennes, living in Versailles which was not in Paris, and reforms he passed as a ruler. These actions performed by King Louis isn’t what a King does, but that doesn’t prove any
middle of paper ... ... Throughout the Early Modern Period, absolutism prevailed in most of the lands of Europe as modeled on the French monarchy. Absolutism placed complete authority within the hands of the ruling sovereigns instead of the people. Many of them, however, such as King Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia, were supporters of the Enlightenment.
In the Age of Absolutism, both England and France had strong absolute monarchies and leaders. Though Louis XIV, monarch of France, and Charles I, leader of Britain, both served as their country’s king and served in this role in different ways.
Throughout his reign—one of the longest reigns amongst all european sovereigns—Louis XIV revolutionized the monarchy. He established both France’s dominance and his own dominance while simultaneously presiding over the Palace of Versailles and generating a “golden age” of literature and art (Eggert 212). In the later half of Louis XIV’s reign, France’s resources were greatly drained due to national conflict. Additionally, after Louis XIV’s revocation of the Edict of Nantes, France was met with the departure of a large portion of its Protestant
When a ruler holds authority that is only second to the divine beings themselves, an absolute monarch is born. Throughout history, Europe has been home to many monarchs that help define the term absolutism. Most notably are Louis XIV of France and Peter I of Russia during the late 17th century. When examining a ruler’s legacy underneath the context of an absolute monarch, how nice or how effective of a ruler they were has no bearing. On the contrary, an absolute monarch is defined by their actions and how capable they are of imposing their will onto their subjects, regardless of how incorrect or radical others may deem. And when these two rulers are judged under this guideline, Peter I was simply more domineering
Louis saw himself as God's representative on earth, therefore, infallible.(Louis XIV and the French Monarchy) He oversaw road building, court decorum, defense, and disputes within the church. He had the support of his ministers, and the French people. He had given France the image it desired, youth and vitality surrounded by magnificence. Louis won the favor of the nobles by making it evident that their future depended on their ability stay on his good side. This weakened the nobility, and would eventually weaken France. Louis had among his supporters a wide spectrum of indiv...
During the late 17th and early 18th century, many European nations such as France and Russia were absolute monarchies. Even countries such as England had kings who at least attempted to implement absolutism. Indeed the concept of absolutism, where the monarch is the unquestionably highest authority and absolute ruler of every element in the realm, is certainly appealing to any sovereign. However, this unrestricted power was abused, and by the end of the 18th century, absolutism was gone. Absolutism failed because the monarchs' mistreatment of the population caused the people to revolt against their rule and policies. There are many factors which caused this discontent. For one, there was a great loss of human lives. Louis XIV of France participated in four wars, while Peter of Russia ruthlessly executed anyone who stood against his will. Secondly, monarchs attempted to change religious beliefs. This was notable in England where rulers such as James II desired to convert the Anglican nation into Catholicism. Finally, the burden of taxation was more than the population could support. France was brought into huge foreign debt, English kings constantly attempted to raise money, and Peter of Russia increased taxes by 550 percent. These are some of the key reasons why absolutism failed in Europe.
Absolutism describes a form of monarchical power that is unrestrained by all other institutions, such as churches, legislatures, or social elites. To achieve absolutism one must first promote oneself as being powerful and authoritative, then the individual must take control of anyone who might stand in the way of absolute power. The Palace of Versailles helped King Louis XIV fulfill both of those objectives. Versailles used propaganda by promoting Louis with its grandiosity and generous portraits that all exuded a sense of supremacy. Versailles also helped Louis take control of the nobility by providing enough space to keep them under his watchful eye. The Palace of Versailles supported absolutism during King Louis XIV’s reign through propaganda, and control of nobility.
Absolutism and Louis XIV Louis XIV of France had had both a long and powerful reign on the throne. He was able to achieve this due to the development of absolutism in France. Absolutism is defined as the political idea that absolute power should be vested in a single ruler. The whole idea of absolutism originally came from philosopher Jean Bodin in the 16th Century. Louis¹ absolutism developed with four major parts: The breeding of a strong and controlled military, The building of Versailles to control the nobility, The selling of nobility, and The appointed of an advisor.
King Louis XVI was a man who lived and ruled through a time of turmoil. He inherited a country that was failing, and even though he did not completely save it from the bloodshed that it saw, he did everything within his power to keep all of his subjects from death. He was not a strong enough man to liberate France from the struggles that were present. He was easily swayed to the wants of others around him, but he wanted what was best for his kingdom. Even though he was unfit for rule, he gave all very life for his country. He may have lost France to the ideas inspired by the Enlightenment, but he supported his realm to the end of his days.
Louis XIV developed a conception of absolutism. During this movement, the King integrated Force and Law. War became an occupation. Nobles then occupied the Palace of Versailles. The government (intendants) represented the King’s interests in France and N. America.
Although King Louis XIV’s time in control of the French throne did not have a huge impact on Europe as a whole, it had a major impact on France and the French people. His reign started out well, with military victories that expanded France’s territory. However, starting with the limiting of the nobles’ power, things began to take a turn for the worse. Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles in the town of Versailles, twenty kilometers outside of Paris. This led to an increased resentment of the King, as he had distanced himself from his citizens. The Palace of Versailles, coupled with the expensive territory wars, placed France in a massive amount of debt. To resolve the debt, high taxes were placed on the French people, causing a further decrease in King Louis XIV’s popularity with the people.
Considering historical facts, it is important to notice that absolutism was raised because of the hard times that Europe was facing during t...