3.7 Absolutist Approaches to Power

• What is absolutism as a political system?

  Complete and unchallengeable authority
• The Divine Right of Kings states that a ruler's authority is granted by God
• Absolutist monarchs controlled the military, economy, and law within their states.
• What role did checks and balances play in absolutist states?

  Limited or no restraint
• Absolutist monarchs often promoted a state religion
• Which absolutist ruler famously declared "L'état, c'est moi"?

  Louis XIV
• The Divine Right of Kings asserts that monarchs are accountable to the people for their actions.

  False
• Order the following justifications for royal authority based on accountability:

  1️⃣ Divine Right of Kings (Only to God)

  2️⃣ Contractual Rule (To the people)

  3️⃣ Natural Right (To natural law principles)
• Which monarch used the Divine Right of Kings to justify unlimited power?

  Louis XIV
• Louis XIV centralized authority by moving the government to Versailles
• Peter the Great modernized the Russian army to consolidate his power.
• Which ruler created an efficient bureaucracy in Prussia?

  Frederick William I
• Charles I persecuted Puritans in England as part of his suppression of dissent
• Match the strategy for government centralization with an example monarch:

  Strengthening Royal Authority ↔️ Louis XIV

  Establishing Bureaucracies ↔️ Frederick William I

  Centralizing Finances ↔️ Peter the Great

  Building National Armies ↔️ Charles I
• Centralization under absolutist monarchs led to stronger national identities but also social inequalities.
• What is absolutism?

  Complete unchallengeable ruler authority
• One characteristic of absolutism is centralized power
• The Divine Right of Kings asserts that a ruler’s authority is granted by the people

  False
• What three areas do absolutist monarchs typically control?

  Military, economy, law
• Absolutism features limited checks and balances
• What role does state religion play in absolutism?

  Supports monarch's authority
• Who is an example of an absolutist ruler who declared "L'état, c'est moi"?

  Louis XIV
• The Divine Right of Kings makes a monarch accountable to the people

  False
• Match the justification for authority with its description:

  Divine Right of Kings ↔️ Monarch's authority comes from God

  Contractual Rule ↔️ Power is granted through agreement

  Natural Right ↔️ Authority stems from natural law
• How did Louis XIV use the Divine Right of Kings to reinforce his rule?

  Sanctioned his decisions divinely
• Louis XIV centralized authority by moving the government to Versailles
• Peter the Great modernized the Russian army to consolidate his power
• What did Frederick William I create in Prussia to enforce policies?

  Efficient bureaucracy
• Steps taken by absolutist monarchs to suppress dissent

  1️⃣ Eliminate opposition

  2️⃣ Enforce censorship

  3️⃣ Repress dissent
• What doctrine combined with consolidation tactics allowed absolutist monarchs to maintain control?

  Divine Right of Kings
• Louis XIV reduced noble influence at Versailles
• Which monarch expanded the Prussian bureaucracy to enhance administrative efficiency?

  Frederick William I
• Peter the Great reformed the Russian tax system to centralize finances
• What strategy did absolutist monarchs use to strengthen their royal authority?

  Transfer powers from nobles
• Match the absolutist monarch with their example strategy:

  Louis XIV ↔️ Reduced noble influence at Versailles

  Peter the Great ↔️ Reformed Russian tax system

  Frederick William I ↔️ Expanded Prussian bureaucracy

  Charles I ↔️ Enforced ship money taxes
• Which monarch maintained a large standing army to expand Prussian territory?

  Frederick the Great
• Louis XIV implemented mercantilism to enhance French wealth
• Control of the military and economy by absolutist rulers minimized internal opposition
• What does Louis XIV's move to Versailles exemplify?

  Centralization of authority
• Absolutist rulers wielded control over military and economic resources to solidify their power