Absolutism

Question 1

What is absolutism?

Answer 1

A political system where a single leader controls all branches of government and has authority over everyone and everything in the country.
- type of national monarchy

Question 2

What is despotism?

Answer 2

A form of government where a single person rules with absolute power, often characterised by arbitrary use pf authority.

Question 3

What is the Divine right?

Answer 3

Kings given the authority from god and could not be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority. (ie parliament)

Question 4

What is the meaning of venality/venal offices?

Answer 4

Willingness to be bribed/bought off/accept money in exchange for betraying a trust/duty

Question 5

What are the main characteristics of an absolute monarchy?

Answer 5

• centralising political power in the hands of the monarch
• monarch exercised power through a bureaucracy and a standing army
• monarch gained loyalty and support from merchant rulers of cities
• monarch allied with and exercised control over traditional land authority (army) to enforce laws and maintain order
• monarch has divine right
• royal army only loyal to the king
• church promoted the monarch`s ideas
• church provided poor relief, healthcare and education to the people

Question 6

What factors limit a full exercise of royal authority?

Answer 6

• failed to establish a secure, independent source of revenue
• pre-occupied with grandiose life at court
• employment of non-elite/middle class people in the royal bureaucracy
• tax farmers/collectors would keep large shares of taxes they collected
• prosperous elite groups exempt from paying tax
• french economy heavily dependent on agriculture but french farmers were heavily taxed leading to constant crisis in the agricultural sector
• costly wars burdened government and finances
• King Louis XVI led France to imperialist wars which drained a lot of France`s resources

Question 7

How does letat cest moi represent absolutism?

Answer 7

• letat cest moi = i am the state
• represents absolutism as the monarch`s word was considered law since he had complete control of the country
• meant monarch had an army which allowed him to have eyes on the state at all time