The document discusses the transition from the feudal system to absolute monarchy during the Middle Ages, highlighting factors such as the rise of a new middle class, poor economic conditions, and technological advancements. It examines the successes and failures of notable monarchs, particularly Louis XIV of France and Philip II of Spain, emphasizing the challenges they faced in maintaining power. The text also questions the extent of absolute power and the necessity of controlling nobles and forming alliances.

1. Absolute Monarchy
Really?

2. RAP-Q
1) What was the feudal system used by
previous years of the Middle Ages?
2) What factors led to a change to more power
to the monarchs?
For three minutes discuss with a partner next to
you and be prepared to share with class

3. Transition
-- Old Feudal system
- new middle class (merchants,craftsmen)
-- Old Problems
- Poor Economy, Religious Wars, Plague
-- Weapon technology
-- New Monarchs pave way
-- Philosophy Change
- less religious after 1648

4. France’s Louis XIV
-- Successful monarchy
-- Control the Nobles
-- Mercantilism
-- Useless Costly Wars
-- Peasants

5. Spain
-- Philip II bankrupt in 1596 (wars)
-- Philip III bankrupt in 1607 (court)
-- No longer a world power by 1640
-- Philip IV reforms failed

6. Holy Roman Empire/Germany
-- No real central rule or powerful monarchy
-- 300 districts, decides own religion
-- Frederick the Elector of Prussia deal with
nobles
-- Habsburg Family (Leopold I) of Austria gains
lands but never centralized

7. Russia
-- Ivan the Terrible was absolute ruler
-- Times of Trouble - noble regain some power
Peter the Great
-- strengthen outdated military
-- bureaucratic meritocracy
-- many reforms unable to enforce
-- nobles had to serve in military
-- nobles had to be educated

8. So how absolute was absolute?
1) What is necessary to have absolute power?
2) Who do you have to control?
3) What allies can you make to keep power?

9. Limits to Absolute Monarchy
-- Kings had to rely on local agents to carry out
policies
-- Kings had to control or buy off nobles to
maintain power
-- King used middle class in France as ally
-- Landed aristocracy were a powerful force
everywhere

10. Question
Louis XIV built his great palace of Versailles for
all of the following reasons EXCEPT
a) to control the aristocracy
b) to show on a grand scale the wealth and
power of France monarchy
c) to rule outside of the confines of Paris
d) to allow for better communication with his
people

11. Resources
-- http://www.fidnet.com/~weid/rulers.html
-- http://www.slideshare.net/papefons/the-17th-
century-absolute-monarchy-and-the-decline-of-
the-hispanic-empire?from_search=6
-- http://www2.sunysuffolk.
edu/westn/modernroots.html