Alternative to absolute monarchy

• Engraved illustrations are par
• The 13 American colonies practiced enlightened despotism
• Monarchs in absolute monarchies had absolute power
• The difficulties reforming society 'from above' triggered liberal revolutions
• These reforms did not affect the absolute power of the monarchs
• Most European countries were absolute monarchies
• England's 13 colonies, founded on North America's Atlantic coast in the 17th century, had a population of 2.5 million, including 500,000 African slaves
• The prototypical absolute monarch was Louis XVI (1643-1715) of France, the Sun King
• In 1783, the British Government recognized the United States of America as an independent country
• The United States approved the Constitution and Bill of Rights

  1787
• George Washington's election had a big impact on liberal revolutions in Europe, including the French Revolution (1789), and Latin America's independence
• Most settlers were of European origin, had not mixed with Native Americans, and developed a common identity during the French and Indian War (1754-1763)
• Britain's strong military response led to war in 1775 with the American colonies
• The monarch held all power and was the head of all state institutions
• Enlightened despotism introduced reforms
• The Constitution and Bill of Rights was the first liberal constitution that applied the principles of parliamentarianism and the Enlightenment
• Territorial expansion occurred in 1780
• Absolute monarchs ruled by divine right
• George Washington was elected president


  1789
• The 1st liberal revolution took place in the United States
• In the second half of the century, some European monarchs, such as Carlos III of Spain, made Enlightenment-inspired reforms
• Colonial representatives declared independence in 1776 (Independence Day, 4 July)
• Tensions and rioting broke out against Great Britain due to high taxes, Britain's monopoly on trade, and the colonies' lack of representation in British Parliament
• The power of the monarch in absolute monarchies was unlimited
• Territories were reserved for the indigenous peoples in Spanish territories