The age of absolute monarchy in medieval Europe is often attributed to King Louis XIV of France, who reigned from 1643 to 1715. He famously declared, "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state"), embodying the principle of absolute rule where the monarch holds supreme authority. Louis XIV centralized power, diminished the influence of the nobility, and established a strong, centralized state, setting a precedent for later absolute monarchs across Europe. His reign marked a significant shift towards the consolidation of royal power in the late medieval period.
APEX: Charlemagne
Absolute monarchs of medieval Europe typically employed methods such as centralizing authority, controlling the nobility, and using military force to preserve their power. However, they did not commonly use democratic processes or popular consent, as these would contradict the principles of absolute monarchy. Instead, they relied on hereditary rule and divine right to legitimize their authority.
Absolute monarchy is when a country is ruled by one person. There are pros and cons when is comes toabsolute monarchy. I think that absolute monarchy was positive for Europe during the 17thand 18thcentury.I think that absolute monarchy was positive because it was easy to understand. It was easy to understandbecause it was ruled only by one person. Creating laws were quicker and simpler. It was also a lot stricterwith absolute monarchy with more rules.
absolute monarchy
All the absolute monarchies in Europe have dissolved into some form of a democracy. Most of them transformed into Constitutional Monarchies, in which there is still a monarch that rules but they are accompanied by a parliament. There is one country in Europe that can still be considered a monarchy: the Vatican. The Pope is the ruler and thus labels the Vatican as an absolute monarchy, although the "monarch" is elected.
The Vatican is the smallest independent country in the world and the only absolute monarchy in Europe.
The dominant form of government in Europe after the Congress of Vienna was the absolute monarchy.
Edward III
When Napoleon Bonaparte took power, most of Europe was ruled by a monarchy. When Napoleon became First Consul he began annexing territories and building his French Empire. His absolute rule resulted in Europe revolutionizing and refusing to live under an absolute power.
During the seventeenth century, absolute monarchy in Europe took various forms, often characterized by centralized power concentrated in the hands of a sovereign ruler. In France, Louis XIV epitomized absolute monarchy, famously declaring, "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state), and implemented policies that diminished the power of the nobility. In contrast, Spain's Philip IV faced challenges to his authority, yet still maintained significant control over his vast empire. Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe, monarchs like Peter the Great of Russia sought to modernize and expand their realms through autocratic rule, reflecting the diverse expressions of absolute monarchy across the continent.
Southern Europe is almost fully composed of democracies (most of which are republics along with two constitutional monarchies). However, there is one country in Europe that is considered a theocracy or absolute monarchy: Vatican City.
Medieval life in Europe was characterized by?