Absolutism: A Period Of Tyranny In Europe?

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Absolute monarchs still currently exist in several locations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Absolutism is a style of government in which a ruler holds absolute or complete power over the country and its citizens. During the 16th and 17th centuries, absolutism was very popular in Europe. Some people argue that absolutism is a period of prosperity. Others argue that it was a period of tyranny. Absolutism was a period of tyranny in Europe because monarchs believed in ruling through fear, that they should be worshiped as god, and disregarded citizens' opinions. Tyranny was clearly the end result of absolutism because monarchs believed in ruling through fear. In his book, “The Prince” Niccol Machiavelli explains that, “Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it.” (Machiavelli 2). …show more content…

This supports the idea that absolute monarchs, like kings, thought they needed to rule through fear in order to be respected. To create this fear, monarchs had to go to unnecessary and cruel measures which displays how this was a period of tyranny. These absolute rulers also believed they should be worshiped as gods and others were below them. King James I of England expressed, “; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants on earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called Gods.”(James 2). King James's point is that kings get their power from God, so they should be treated as such. This is significant because it displays how kings believed they were better than others. Since God has the power to give life and death, the king thought they did too. Another reason the period was tyrannical is that citizens' opinions were disregarded by

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