Absolutism Dbq Analysis
During the 16th and 17th century Europe, political views on the government varied in Europe. After the Catholic Church’s downfall, absolute monarchs dominated Europe. An analysis of the documents clearly shows that mostly kings favored absolutism and have superiority over their people. On the other hand, some viewed absolutism as a power that made people inferior to the government. As the church’s power declined, the monarchs began to rise in power. The monarch’s rise in power encouraged and established absolutism, such as in England, Spain, and France. During this period, the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment were occurring. After the Crusades, Italian city-states such as Florence, Milan, Venice and Genoa, became wealthy merchants
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For instance, monarchs such as King James I and King Louis XIV believed that they had the right to decide things as their pleasure and that they were superior to others. King James I claimed that kings are god-like and are the “supremest thing upon earth”, and also “exercise a divine power on earth.” He believes in the Divine Right Principle and claims that kings can do anything they want because they are god-like. His purpose was to show how powerful kings were to the people of England. Along with King James’ opinion on autocracy, King Louis XIV claims that kings have the right to decide the country’s fate and give orders to members of the government for them to carry out. He indicates that the monarch makes decisions only and he asserts his power to the government. Furthermore, Machiavelli also idealized the concept of absolutism. He wrote The Prince, as a guide for the effective way to rule, for rulers of Italian city-states. He believed that all men were evil and would betray a ruler, therefore he claims that ruling by fear instead of love is a best way to rule and assert you superiority as a ruler. He created this guide based on his past experience as a government official dealing with the ruler of Florence, and later being kick out of the city-state. Many idealized absolutism because one can assert their power over others and control the country as they
For instance, monarchs such as King James I and King Louis XIV believed that they had the right to decide things as their pleasure and that they were superior to others. King James I claimed that kings are god-like and are the “supremest thing upon earth”, and also “exercise a divine power on earth.” He believes in the Divine Right Principle and claims that kings can do anything they want because they are god-like. His purpose was to show how powerful kings were to the people of England. Along with King James’ opinion on autocracy, King Louis XIV claims that kings have the right to decide the country’s fate and give orders to members of the government for them to carry out. He indicates that the monarch makes decisions only and he asserts his power to the government. Furthermore, Machiavelli also idealized the concept of absolutism. He wrote The Prince, as a guide for the effective way to rule, for rulers of Italian city-states. He believed that all men were evil and would betray a ruler, therefore he claims that ruling by fear instead of love is a best way to rule and assert you superiority as a ruler. He created this guide based on his past experience as a government official dealing with the ruler of Florence, and later being kick out of the city-state. Many idealized absolutism because one can assert their power over others and control the country as they