3.1.1 - 3.1.3 Absolutism terms Flashcards
absolutism/absolute rule (causes, effects, significance)
causes: rise of capitalism, idea of divine right to rule
effects: rulers regulating religion and gatherings, the enlightenment
significance: unlimited centralized authority and absolute sovereignty
Absolutism is when a ruler has absolute power over the country, they can change the law at any time and can do anything they want, whenever they want. Many absolute rulers believed in their divine right to rule. Absolutism was majorly incorporated in governments from roughly 1550 to 1800. An example of an absolute ruler would be the French King, King Louis XIV.
Divine Right of Kings (causes, effects, significance)
causes:
religious justification: used to justify absolute rule by saying the ruler was answerable only to God
political legitimacy: established the ruler as being chosen by God
control over the church
suppression of dissent: discouraged rebellion
centralization of power
The Divine Right of Kings was a powerful tool for monarchs to consolidate their rule and resist challenges to their authority. It was often intertwined with the concept of absolutism, where the monarch held unrestricted power. However, this doctrine faced significant challenges during the Enlightenment, as thinkers like John Locke argued for the separation of church and state and the idea that sovereignty resided with the people
effects: absolutism
significance:
The Divine Right of Kings held significant implications for both the governance and the social hierarchy of the times when it was a prevalent belief.
Political Authority: It provided monarchs with a supreme political authority, as their right to rule was believed to be given by God, making them answerable only to divine judgment1.
Absolutism: This belief often led to absolutist monarchies, where the king or queen had unlimited power, unrestrained by laws or constitutions1.
Religious Influence: The Divine Right reinforced the connection between the monarchy and the church, often leading to the monarch having control over religious institutions within their realm1.
Social Order: By asserting that the monarch’s power was divinely ordained, it helped maintain a rigid social order and hierarchy, discouraging rebellion and promoting loyalty1.
Legal Justification: It served as a legal justification for the actions of kings, including wars, expansion, and internal policies, as they were considered to be carrying out God’s will1.
Cultural Impact: The concept influenced art, literature, and culture, with monarchs often being depicted as god-like figures in various forms of cultural expression1.
Resistance to Change: It often resulted in resistance to political and social change, as any challenge to the monarch’s authority was seen as a challenge to the divine order1.
Transition to Modernity: The challenge to the Divine Right of Kings by Enlightenment thinkers contributed to the development of modern political and constitutional systems, where authority is derived from the consent of the governed rather than divine order
The divine right of kings was a doctrine that held the belief that Kings gained their power from God and therefore could not be held guilty for their actions. They also used this to justify their extreme power and tyranny over a nation and also justify their absolute rule.
Inherited Power (causes, effects, significance)
Causes:
Hereditary Succession: The tradition of passing leadership from one generation of a ruling family to the next as a means to maintain continuity and stability in governance.
Divine Right of Kings: The belief that monarchs are appointed by and answerable only to God, not to the people, which often justified hereditary rule.
Consolidation of Wealth and Power: Inherited power ensured that wealth and authority remained within a ruling family, often leading to the establishment of powerful dynasties.
Effects:
Establishment of Dynasties: Long-lasting families that maintained power over generations, shaping the political and cultural landscape of their countries.
Resistance to Change: A tendency towards conservatism, as inherited power structures are often resistant to reform and change.
Social Stratification: Reinforcement of a hierarchical social structure with a clear distinction between the ruling class and the common people.
Significance:
Cultural Identity: Dynasties often influence the cultural and national identity of a country, with many historical landmarks and traditions tied to the legacy of ruling families.
Political Stability: Inherited power can lead to long periods of stability, with a clear line of succession reducing disputes over leadership.
Resistance to Democracy: The concentration of power in the hands of a few can hinder the development of democratic institutions and the idea of power derived from the people.
