Absolutism: Absolutism: The Divine The Divine Right of KingsRight of Kings

AbsolutismAbsolutism The theory that all power in a The theory that all power in a

state rest in the hands of the King state rest in the hands of the King or Queen.or Queen.

Devine Right: The idea that God Devine Right: The idea that God created the monarchy and that created the monarchy and that the monarchy acted as God’s the monarchy acted as God’s representative on earth.representative on earth.

The Meaning of The Meaning of This?This?

To question the King, is to To question the King, is to question God.question God.

God is infallible, so the King God is infallible, so the King can never be wrong.can never be wrong.

In certain lands the Kings In certain lands the Kings were to uphold justice and were to uphold justice and fairness, however Kings often fairness, however Kings often forgot about fairness.forgot about fairness.

Famous Famous Quote…Quote…'Power tends to corrupt, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power and absolute power corrupts absolutely. corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost Great men are almost always bad men.‘always bad men.‘

- Lord Acton, 1887- Lord Acton, 1887

Examples: Absolute Examples: Absolute MonarchsMonarchs

Louis XIVLouis XIVFranceFranceKnown as Known as “the Sun “the Sun King” King”

Maria TheresaMaria Theresa Queen of Queen of

AustriaAustria Mother of Marie Mother of Marie

Antoinette Antoinette (Future Queen (Future Queen of France)of France)

Had 16 ChildrenHad 16 Children

Fredrick the GreatFredrick the Great

King of King of PrussiaPrussia

Years of Years of War with War with Austria Austria

Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible Ruler of Ruler of

RussiaRussia Ruled under Ruled under

two periods: two periods: “the Good” “the Good” and “the and “the Bad”Bad”

What led to What led to Absolutism?Absolutism?

Read selections Read selections on monarchs and on monarchs and fill in the sections fill in the sections of the chart.of the chart.

Why Important Today?Why Important Today?

Will help us better Will help us better understand the French understand the French Revolution.Revolution.

We still have Absolutism We still have Absolutism today (Totalitarianism)today (Totalitarianism)

Example: North KoreaExample: North Korea