Importance Of Absolute Monarchy

The 17th century of European history, colloquially known as the “Age of Crisis”, gave rise to a new form of government: absolutism. Religious wars, economic troubles, inflation, and new agricultural challenges such as the Little Ice Age wracked the nations of Europe and caused tremendous fear and uncertainty among the masses. Thus, as many felt that life itself was endangered, they were willing to accept the rise of a strong, independent ruler who might lead them from the darkness. In this way, absolutism emerged- a new form of monarchy based on a hereditary ruler with complete authority. Perhaps the most well known example of an absolute monarch in European history is Louis XIV, the ruler of France from 1643 to 1715.

During the 16th century to the 18th century, Monarchs in Europe used absolutism. Monarchs such as King Louis and Peter The Great used absolute tactics because they wanted to consolidate power from the nobility. They wanted to consolidate power from the nobility because they wanted to take the power they lost during the middle ages. King Louis and Peter the Great used all multiple means to reclaim power. They used their power to glorify themselves and their country. The practice of absolutism can be argued to have both positive and negative effects.

Of all the absolute rulers in Europe, by far the best example of one, and the most powerful, was Louis XIV of France. Although Louis had some failures, he also had many successes. He controlled France’s money and had many different ways to get, as well as keep his power, and he knew how to delegate jobs to smart, but loyal people.

The 16th and 17th centuries were a powerful time for European monarchies. Absolutism had taken hold, allowing Kings to have powerful rules over their states. This was due to the absolute monarchies that had taken hold and the belief in a divine right that kept them there. This allowed the countries under the rule of powerful monarchs to thrive and prosper. Absolute monarchies and the belief in a divine right to rule made absolutism a period of prosperity in 16th and 17th century Europe.

During the late seventeenth century under the leadership of Peter the Great, Russia underwent a period of modernization and westernization due to Peter’s reforms. However, without the reforms he instituted, Russia would have remained the most culturally unevolved country in Europe for quite a long time.

In northern Europe after the Middle Ages, monarchies began to build the foundations of their countries that are still in affect today. During the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries these “New Monarchs” made many relevant changes in their nations. During the middle of the fifteenth century Europe was affected by war and rebellion, which weakened central governments. As the monarchies attempted to develop into centralized governments once again, feudalism’s influence was lessened. This “new” idea of centralization was reflected in the monarch’s actions. Rulers tried to implement peace and restore the idea that the monarchy represented law and order in the nation. These New Monarchs were able to build armies due to taxation, and

An absolute monarch has total control with his/her country by his/her power on the economy. The monarchs are spoiled and selfish, they only spend money on themselves. They collected tax on their own, they put taxes on imported goods as they pleased, and they built many expensive places. “But his expenses are six millions, and this excess is covered by extraordinary taxes according to his pleasure (Document 3),” this explains that the monarchs could spend more than they received, they could raise taxes “according to his pleasure,” and they are in control of collecting, spending, and raising taxes. “The tsar, in order to reform that custom, ordered that

The 1600s and 1700s were times of change. The Reformation of the previous century had shaken the foundations of society in Europe, while the Age of Exploration had introduced Europe to lands, peoples, and resources that brought new wealth to individuals and countries. Building off of this wealth, monarchs in Europe began to centralize their power using methods of taxation and claims of divine right. These monarchs, including Louis XIV of France, Peter the Great of Russia, and James I of England, eventually created a governmental system, known as absolutism, that revolved entirely around themselves and their desires. Because of their claims to such extreme power, absolutism had wide reaching effects on many parts of their countries. The effects of absolutism were the Nobles got treated like servants, the king's power increased a lot, and the military improved.

According to the Kids Encyclopedia, an absolute monarch “has the power to rule their country and citizens freely with no laws or opposition telling the monarchy what to do.” In Europe during the seventeenth century, the absolutism view of the role of the monarchy increased in prominence, and one can identify an increased number of absolute monarchs during this time period than almost any other in history. During this emergence of absolute monarchs, two monarchs stand out as the most influential, powerful rulers: Peter the Great of Russia and Louis XIV of France. Both of these rulers embody the definition of an absolute monarch and by controlling various aspects of their nation, both successfully created a more unified nation state. Despite

Finally, Peter the Great reformed Russia by reorganizing the country’s economic structure and altering the social scene to mirror Western culture. Historically, Russia was an agricultural country whose tiny middle class took on the tax burdens of the exempt nobility. After traveling abroad, Peter the Great saw the need for internal reform, wanting to apply ideas of western mercantilism to stimulate economic growth by developing industry and commerce. For “When Russian

Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) and Peter the Great of Russia (1672-1725) are both historic leaders that had a tremendous influence over the fate of each of their nations. Although from two different time periods, the impact of their decision making, and temperaments directly dictated and impacted the historical events of their individual countries. Being that both led during a time where the desire for power and absolutism in one’s country and throughout Europe was at a high, each ruler used his own methods to increase their strength. Due to the exorbitant amount of power put upon all leaders, it is clear that a nation’s fate is determined by its ruler, and how that ruler chooses to utilize

Before and During the Age of Enlightenment, many countries were ruled by absolute monarchy. Most of the time, the monarchs

During the seventeenth century, the monarch was known to have all control and dominance. However, people began to question whether the monarch should have ultimate authority and sovereign power in the palm of their hands. When their concerns began to grow, the disadvantages started to become more obvious. Thus proving there were more negative outcomes, of an absolutist form of government, than positive results.

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

The conditions that led to constitutional monarchy in England and absolute monarchies in Spain, France, Prussia, and Russia are compared to and contrasted in the following essay. The extent to which the conditions that predated the establishment of a constitutional or absolute monarchy and the type of monarch's that would be established in each country is explained.