Absolutism
By: Gavin Conrad, Hunter Quilici, Emily
Wetherington and Gerald Talbott
Absolutism
1. Absolutism - the acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters.
2. Example - France is the best example of absolutism in the early modern era.
Prime Examples of Absolutists
Bishop Jacques Bossuet
Maria Theresa of Spain
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV of France
Regarded as the best example of absolutism in the 17th century. His court was later imitated by all of Europe.
Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Richelieu was Louis XIII’s chief minister, he strengthened the monarchy’s power. Richelieu set up a network of spies to uncover plots by nobles. He crushed the conspiracies and executed the conspirators.
Austria
Despite loses 30 years war, the Hapsburgs family formed a strong Catholic nation in Austria. They had strong leadership under Maria
Theresa. 1740-1780
Maria Theresa (cont’d)
The Pragmatic Sanction-A royal Decree by Charles VI
(1718) having the force of law by which Europe’s rulers promised not to divide the Hapsburg lands and the accept a female succession. She made war with Prussia when they seized some of her land (silesia).
- Despite a lack of knowledge in politics, she was a good enough politician to get help from other nations (Great Britain and the
Netherlands)
Prussia
Became a powerful Protestant state.
North German Princes called Hohenzoller untied their lands after the
Peace of Westphalia.
They took the power of the other lords, known as Junkers, but gained their loyalty back by giving them powerful jobs in the army.
They centralized government as an absolute monarchy under Frederick william, who did this by forming one of the fiercest militaries ever seen… -
“Prussia is not a state which possesses an army, rather an army that possesses a state.”
Prussia (continued)
Frederick William’s son, named Frederick II, who was treated harshly by his father, became a