The Age of Absolutism

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The Age of Absolutism

• 16th Century-early 19th Century

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The Emergence of the Modern State

• Old Feudal Notion of the State
• The Modern Conception of the State
• -- governed and those who govern

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Before Absolutism

• A. Medieval Europe-weak central governments
• B. Lords and Church officials stronger than or as
  strong as kings

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Definition
A. Absolutism
Sovereignty, the power and right to rule, resides
exclusively with the king and not the nobles nor
any assembly.
.
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Characteristics of Absolute Monarchies

• Centralized political power
• Control of nobles, legislative bodies, any
  group that threatened the monarchs power

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• Increased revenue by controlling taxation
• Control of the armed forces
• Creation of an efficient bureaucracy loyal to the
  monarchy
• Divine Right was usually invoked to justify the
  kings absolute powerThe monarchs power is
  derived from God and the monarch is only
  answerable to Him