3.1 Absolute and Limited Monarchies

Absolutism in France

Under Louis XIV, France became the model of absolutism, a system where the monarch claims total sovereignty, often justified by divine right. Louis weakened the nobility's independent power by requiring their presence at Versailles, appointed intendants to administer provinces, maintained a large standing army, and promoted mercantilism through minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert to strengthen state finances.

Constitutionalism in England

England moved toward limited monarchy, where power is shared with representative institutions. Conflicts between Stuart kings and Parliament over taxation and religion led to the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and eventually the Glorious Revolution (1688), which installed William and Mary under the English Bill of Rights (1689), ensuring parliamentary supremacy and protected rights.

Other Absolutist States

Absolutism also developed in Central and Eastern Europe. Prussia under the Hohenzollerns built a strong military-bureaucratic state; Austria under the Habsburgs centralized diverse territories; Russia under Peter the Great westernized the state and military while reinforcing autocratic control and serfdom, showing that absolutism could take varied forms across Europe.

Key terms

Absolutism

A political system in which the monarch holds total sovereign power, often justified by divine right, as seen under Louis XIV.

Divine right

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God and is not subject to earthly limitation.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

The bloodless overthrow of James II, replaced by William and Mary, who accepted the English Bill of Rights.

Intendants

Royal officials appointed by Louis XIV to administer French provinces directly, limiting noble power.

Peter the Great

Russian tsar who westernized the military and state institutions while preserving autocratic absolutism.

Try an AP-style question

Absolutism is a system in which…

1. nobles rule the state
2. power is shared with parliament
3. the monarch holds unchecked power
4. the people elect the ruler