Royal absolutism, a political doctrine of centralized power in a monarch's hands, shaped early modern Europe. It involved strategies like diminishing noble influence, enforcing religious uniformity, and mercantilist economies to consolidate power. Resistance from nobles, clergy, and commoners led to significant historical events, such as the English Civil War. The outcomes of absolutist governance were complex, with examples like Louis XIV's France and Charles I's England illustrating its potential successes and failures.
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Royal absolutism is a political doctrine characterized by the concentration of sovereign power in the hands of a monarch
Divine Right of Kings
The doctrine of the divine right of kings justifies the monarch's complete authority over the state's institutions
Centralization of Authority
Monarchs consolidated their control by centralizing authority and creating a loyal bureaucracy
Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes and Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet supported the need for a strong central authority to maintain social order
Monarchs sought to diminish the influence of the nobility by centralizing authority and creating a loyal bureaucracy
Monarchs enforced religious uniformity to prevent sectarian divisions from threatening their authority
Monarchs presented themselves as protectors against the excesses of the nobility to gain the support of the peasantry and middle classes
The nobility opposed the erosion of their traditional privileges and autonomy
Non-state sanctioned clergy members faced persecution
Heavy taxation and autocratic rule could lead to uprisings and revolts from the common people
Mercantilism was the prevailing economic philosophy, encouraging exports over imports and imposing tariffs and trade barriers
Colonies were often exploited for raw materials and markets, contributing to the wealth of the absolute monarch
Royal absolutism led to the suppression of dissent and curtailment of individual freedoms, but also allowed for rapid decision-making and centralized institutions
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The concept of ______ ______ developed in Europe during the early modern era, where a monarch wields total control over state affairs.
Royal absolutism
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Thomas Hobbes' influential book, '______,' advocates for a potent centralized power to ensure societal stability.
Leviathan
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Centralization of Authority
Monarchs centralized power, reducing nobility's autonomy, creating loyal bureaucracy.
