AP Euro 17th C and Absolutism Test
The Age of Absolutism, a period in 17th and 18th century Europe characterized by powerful monarchs with unchecked authority, is a crucial topic in AP European History. Absolute monarchs ruled by divine right, believing their power came directly from God. However, the system was complex and not universally implemented across Europe with uniform strength. While the term typically refers to Europe between 1550 and 1800, absolute rule existed elsewhere and in other periods, like the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Several key European powers exemplify the rise and fall of absolutism: Spain, England, France, and Prussia. Each offers unique insights into the dynamics of this era.
In England, the monarchy faced constant tension with Parliament. While Queen Elizabeth I maintained popularity through religious tolerance and mercantilism, her successor, James I, clashed with Parliament in his pursuit of absolute power. This struggle ultimately led to the English Civil War, significantly weakening the monarchy’s authority.
In Spain, absolute monarchs like Philip II, Philip III, and Charles IV leveraged the country’s vast colonial wealth to solidify their rule. Their fervent Catholicism fueled their belief in divine right, leading to conflicts like the Spanish Armada’s attempted invasion of England. However, costly wars and dwindling resources eventually led to Spain’s decline.
France epitomized the opulence and power of absolutism. Monarchs like Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” embodied the concept of absolute rule, famously declaring, “I am the state!” Louis XIV centralized power, built the extravagant Palace of Versailles, and controlled the nobility. However, his lavish spending contributed to economic hardship for the French people. Subsequent Louis’ continued this grandeur until the French Revolution ended the monarchy.
Alt: King Louis XIV of France with his family, a depiction of the opulence and power associated with French absolutist monarchs during the 17th century.
Prussia, under Frederick the Great, embraced Enlightened Absolutism. Influenced by Enlightenment ideals, Frederick modernized the state, improved the lives of his subjects, and promoted religious tolerance. Other Enlightened Absolutists, like Catherine the Great and Joseph II of Austria, used Enlightenment principles to strengthen their rule and avoid revolutions like those in France and North America. However, these rulers remained absolute monarchs, their word still law.
The Age of Absolutism aligns with the AP European History curriculum’s focus on States and Other Institutions of Power. It covers how monarchs justified and maintained their authority, the challenges they faced, and the eventual shift towards new forms of government. The era’s complexities make it a likely topic for exam questions, potentially addressing shifts in the European balance of power and the decline of absolutism.
Alt: Image of a pen and paper on a desk, representing the AP European History exam and the need for students to understand the complexities of the Age of Absolutism for test preparation.