Discuss The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Absolutism

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After completing the reading and watching the video it is clear that absolute monarchies (absolutism) has its advantages and disadvantages. As well as that court life in much different than the lives of everyday individuals. The benefits of living under absolutist France include unity/stability, national glory, and a strong monarchy. As the video noted, France moved to a centralized King providing authority and stability. This was important considering how damaged the country was from the thirty years’ war. Another advantage is when Louis XIV eliminated the threat of the nobles by removing them from the royal council. This was an advantage as the book states, “Louis domination of his ministers and secretaries gave him control of the central policy-making …show more content…

The book describes Versailles as, “It was the resident of the king, a reception hall for state affairs, an office building for the members of the king’s government, and the home of thousands of royal officials and aristocratic courtiers.” Life at court was filled with numerous activities where the nobles participated in activities with the King. Court life was centered around the King, Louis XIV. Some of these activities included: rising from bed, dining, praying, attending mass, and preparing to go back to bed. The noble centered their lives around the King’s in hope of being granted offices and titles that only the King could grant. Judging by the looks of The Hall of Mirrors picture in the textbook this certainly was as luxurious as it gets at the time and I’m sure the nobles expressed that through their appreciation towards the King. However, the Middle class and peasant class was forced to pay the most taxes. They were forced to pay taxes on their income, land, property, etc. The nobles did not even have to pay taxes. The middle class and peasant class was taxed so heavily they could barely support themselves. The inadequate tax base continued to fail as the costly wars overburdened the French

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