Basics of Absolutism
What is absolutism?
A system where a ruler has total power
Who was Louis XIV?
King of France
What country did Peter the Great rule?
Russia
Who believed in natural rights?
John Locke
What document was written in 1776?
Declaration of Independence
What is divine right?
The belief that power comes from God
What nickname was he given?
The Sun King
What was Peter’s goal for Russia?
To modernize/westernize it
What are the three natural rights?
Life, Liberty, Property
What were causes of the American Revolution?
Taxes, no representation, unfair laws
Why can’t people question the ruler under divine right?
Because questioning the ruler = questioning God
What did “I am the state” mean?
He believed he was the government
What city did Peter the Great found?
St. Petersburg
Who believed in freedom of speech?
Voltaire
What caused inequality in France?
Social classes (Estates system)
This system of government allows a ruler to have complete control without needing approval from others.
What is absolutism?
What was Versailles?
A palace where nobles lived
What country did Philip II rule?
Spain
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Which Enlightenment idea led to the idea of checks and balances in government?
Separation of powers (Montesquieu)
How is absolutism different from democracy?
Absolutism = one ruler has power / Democracy = people have power
Why did Louis build Versailles?
To control the nobles and keep power
What religion did Philip II strongly support?
Catholicism
A society where people give up some freedoms for protection is based on the ideas of this Enlightenment thinker.
Who is Rousseau?
Which Enlightenment thinker most influenced the idea of natural rights in the American Revolution?
John Locke