What Was Absolutism?: AP Euro Bit by Bit #20

Summary

In this insightful video, Paul Sergeant explores the concept of absolutism, defining it as a governance model where a single ruler holds complete authority, justified by the Divine Right Theory. He discusses key thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Bishop Bossuet, highlighting their contributions to the understanding of absolute rule. The video outlines the characteristics of absolutist governance, including the subjugation of nobility and control over the church and military. While Louis XIV of France exemplifies successful absolutism, the video notes the challenges faced in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the failures represented by the Dutch Republic and English constitutional monarchy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Absolutism is a political theory where a monarch holds complete authority over the state, responding only to God.
• 📚 Thomas Hobbes, in *The Leviathan*, argues for a strong ruler to prevent chaos, describing life in a state of nature as 'nasty, brutish, and short.'
• 👑 Bishop Bossuet emphasizes the Divine Right of Kings, asserting that monarchs are accountable only to God, not to the people or nobility.
• ⚖️ Absolute rulers embody the sovereignty of the state, operating independently of national assemblies and popular will.
• 🔒 To maintain control, absolutist monarchs subdue the nobility, often replacing their powers with loyal bureaucrats.
• ⛪ Control over the church and the appointment of officials reinforces a monarch's absolute authority.
• 🪖 Large standing armies are essential for providing security and demonstrating the power of the absolute monarch.
• 🔍 Some monarchs utilize secret police to root out dissent and maintain order within the population.
• 🌍 Absolutism was generally more successful in Western Europe compared to Central and Eastern Europe, where nobility power remained strong.
• 📉 The failures of absolutism can be seen in the Dutch Republic and the establishment of constitutional monarchy in England post-Civil War.

Q & A

What is absolutism?

Absolutism is a political system where a single ruler holds complete authority over the state, answering only to God, as defined by the Divine Right theory.

Who are the key figures associated with the theory of absolutism?

The key figures associated with absolutism are Thomas Hobbes, who wrote 'The Leviathan,' and Bishop Bossuet, who emphasized the Divine Right of Kings.

What did Thomas Hobbes argue in 'The Leviathan'?

Hobbes argued that in a state of nature, life is chaotic and dangerous, so people need a strong central authority to maintain order and security.

How does Bishop Bossuet's view of monarchy differ from modern democratic principles?

Bossuet believed that monarchs are accountable only to God and not to the people or nobility, contrasting with modern democratic principles where leaders are accountable to the electorate.

What are some characteristics of absolute rulers?

Characteristics of absolute rulers include the belief that sovereignty is embodied in the ruler, lack of accountability to national assemblies or the populace, and control over the nobility and bureaucracy.

What strategies did absolute monarchs use to consolidate power?

Absolute monarchs consolidated power by undermining the nobility, centralizing administration through bureaucrats, expanding military forces, and employing secret police.

Which monarch is considered the most successful absolute ruler of the period?

Louis XIV of France is often considered the most successful absolute monarch for his effective consolidation of power and governance.

In which regions of Europe was absolutism more successful, and where was it less so?

Absolutism was more successful in Western Europe and less successful in Central and Eastern Europe, where the power of the nobility was harder to diminish.

What alternatives to absolutism emerged in Europe during this period?

Alternatives to absolutism included the Dutch Republic and the English constitutional monarchy that arose from the English Civil War, representing different governance structures.

How did the rise of large standing armies contribute to absolutism?

Large standing armies provided security for the state and demonstrated the power of absolute monarchs to wage war, further solidifying their control.