Transcript Absolutism PPT

Absolutism
Louis XIV
1638-1715
Louis XIV
L’etat c’est moi!
King of France
I AM THE STATE!
Absolutism
Absolute Monarchs
 In the 1700s, most countries in Europe
were ruled by Monarchs
 A Monarch is the King or Queen of a country.
 Some countries had a monarch who was also
supported by a governing body.
 In England, the King was the monarch, but he was
supported by Parliament.
 Absolute Monarchies
 Absolute Monarchies are when a king has
absolute power - no parliament, or other
lords, have much power.
Where was there Absolutism?

In Russia:
 Peter the Great
 Was elected Tsar (King), and ultimately
became an Absolute Monarch.
 Started the Romanov Dynasty (last
dynasty in Russia)
 Had a violent temper, and would kill
anyone he suspected of disloyalty
 Westernized Russia - made it more
European and less “foreign”.
 Catherine the Great
 A few generations after Peter the
Great.
 Was a foreign princess who married a
Russian prince.
 Expanded Russia westward into
Europe.
 Made Russia into an European power.
French Absolutism

In France
 Louis XIV
 Called the Sun King.
 Ruled France for 72 years
(one of the longest reigns
in history)
 Is considered the epitome
of the Absolute ruler.
 When he died, he was
succeeded by his greatgrandson, Louis XV.
 Louis XIV outlived ALL of
this sons and all of his
grandsons.
Louis XIV

Louis’ Propaganda
 The French court was all
about power, and about
image.
 Louis had many paintings
made of himself.
 Some he gave as gifts to
other monarchs.
 Louis wanted to show
himself as young, strong,
and healthy.
Why was it important to
keep up an image of
strength and health?
Louis XIV
Louis XIV
Louis XIV - Fashion Icon
 Louis was famous for
his fashion sense
 The French court was
considered to be the
height of fashion.
 Louis also made the
high heel popular.
 It was sexy for men to
have well-defined
calves - high heels
made the calves look
more defined.
 It also gave Louis
height, so he could
seem more powerful.
- Show Clip -
Versailles
 Before Louis XIV,
the French court
was always in
Paris.
 Louis moved it to
Versailles.
 Originally a
hunting lodge,
Louis turned it
into an opulent
palace.
Versailles
Louis XIV the King
 Louis XIV was the absolute
monarch. He didn’t want to
share power with anyone.
 He made the nobles and
aristocrats live at Versailles
with him.
 He would randomly change
the rules of the palace.
 He wanted to make sure no
one felt safe in their
position, and that they were
always trying to please him.
Louis XIV the King
 Do Now… Writing:
 At this point, the
Enlightenment is also
spreading through
France.
 How would
Enlightenment
thinkers react to
Louis XIV?
 How might things
change now that
Louis XIV is dead?
Louis XVI