01_Ch21: Absolute Monarchs in Europe

FS: How did philosophy support Absolutism?

Timeline: 16th - 18th C.

Main Idea: During a time of religious and economic instability, monarchs ruled with a strong hand. The developing world view of
Renaissance Europe impacted much more than art and science. Creative expression transcended the new scientic theories and
artistic masterpieces and entered into the world of governance. Monarchs and philosophers questioned the role of government and
ruler. Sometimes, both arrived at conclusions that were mutually supportive. Others generated ideas that were revolutionary and
confrontational. All sought clues to the answers in nature, but supported by faith whenever possible.

CCSS

Ponder: "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" True or False with respect to Nature?

I. Origins of Absolutism
A. Absolutism: A term used by historians to describe a form of monarchical power that is
not#restrained by other institutions, such as churches, legislatures, or aristocracy.

B. Characteristics of Absolutist Monarchies

C. Historical Precedent
There are numerous examples throughout world history that monarchs justied their exercise of
power using religion. Among these we can include:
1. Ancient Egypt
2. Mesopotamians
3. Roman Empire
4. China's Dynastic Period
5. Medieval Europe: The Church exercised its inuence when it crowned kings of the
Franks (eg. Charlemagne) and the Holy Roman Emperors.
D. Philosophy
From the time of the Pax Mongolica, and with increased vigor during the commercial revolution of
the High Middle Ages and Renaissance, Europe was on the receiving end of a philosophical
exchange with the Asians. During this period European thinkers were able to express their
understanding of the human experience through an understanding of the natural world.
#### The Enlightenment is a period of philosophical expansion. It is nurtured within the
Renaissance and is, in essence, Europe's version of the nature-based philosophies of the Far
East. A few of the great Enlightenment thinkers were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Voltaire.
These men looked to nature to nd answers that will allow them to explain how nature shapes the
relationship between ruler and ruled.

1.Thomas Hobbes (wrote The Leviathan, a philosophical/ political science response to the
English Civil War).
!Nature, originally, made everyone mentally and physically equal and with freedom to
choose. Nature has also elevated in Man his own self-interests.
!The goal of "Absolutism" is to control the natural evil (base nature) of people. It exists
to benet the people and the state [which are bound together by the national
identity]

2. Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince)

II. Absolutist Monarchs of Renaissance Europe#

A. France: Louis XIV (Sun King)
B. England
Henry VIII (16th C.), Elizabeth I (Virgin Queen, 16th C.), James I (James VI of Scotland, 17th
C.)
01_Ch21: Absolute Monarchs in Europe

As daughter of Henry VIII, Elizabeth recognizes the importance of securing power and
wielding it when necessary to entrench her position. Elizabeth never married ("The Virgin
Queen") and she reinforced the bond between her#and the fortunes of the nation-state. Whether
her decision to not marry was one based on love or unwillingness to share power, she did expend
effort in making it appear publicly that she was "married to the state" [As priests of the Catholic
Church are forbidden to marry a woman, they are expected to conduct themselves as if "married"
to the institution (The Church)]. The Arthurian Legends proclaim Arthur as "The once and future
king" because "He and the land are one." In reality as in legend, the unity of the state depends a
great deal on the ability of the monarch to make the destiny of the people, land, and monarch =>
One!
Her efforts in the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) opened avenues to the wealth of the
Americas that before were limited to raids of Spanish galleons by privateers (you might say "hired
pirates"). As great as American specie wealth was, the monarchy's nancial needs were in
keeping with other absolute monarchs and it often brought her in conict with the nobility upon
whom she depended for funds. The monarch's need for funding and the aristocracy's increasing
resentment would take England's succeeding monarchs on a path toward civil war.

C. Russia: Peter the Great (Czar)

In keeping with other Renaissance monarchs, Peter the Great organized the Russian nation-
state by clarifying the Russian national identity. As the state formed, he was able to amass the
power that came with it. As monarchs, popes, and businessmen of the period exhibited, Peter the
Great used art to reect the values of the nation-state while glorifying his reign (St. Petersburg).

D. Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Netherlands: Emperor Charles V

III. Summary: Why It Matters Now.

When faced with crises, many heads of government take on additional economic or political powers.

Materials/Sources:#Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates.
! World History: Patterns of Interaction
! Assorted materials