How Did Absolute Monarchs Build Absolute Power In The 17th And 18th Century

The 17th and 18th centuries were a period filled with nation building and expansion across the globe as extensive, and often overseas, holdings became an indicator of a strong and wealthy country in this politically competitive era. However, the extent of a ruler's control was not their only concern. Many monarchs throughout Europe took great initiative to consolidate and increase their power, building absolute monarchies in which they held absolute power. The pursuit of political absolutism frequently stemmed from past conflict involving the various monarchs and included practices such as increasing the authority and control over the nobility, building standing armies, and independently collecting funds, the manner of which were similar between many rulers. An increase in the subjugation and control of nobles is most evident in the reigns of Louis XIV of France as well as
In addition to asserting greater control over the nobility, monarchs of the 17th and 18th centuries also took initiative to consolidate their power and secure absolutism by fielding large standing armies. The security presented from these armies ensured that the rulers had a higher chance at consolidated political absolutism. Rulers such as Frederick William the Great Elector of Prussia and the Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa both built large standing armies to defend against foreign militaries, which both of them were challenged by throughout the earlier years of their reign, and consequently, to stabilize power through the absolutism an efficient army presented. The need for a powerful military was evident to Frederick William of Prussia since the start of his rule in a disjointed kingdom. From 1655 to 1660, Sweden and Poland fought each other in the second Northern War across the Great electors' holdings such as East Prussia, however; Prussian defense was not adequate to confront this