Section 1
Absolute Monarchs Claim Divine Power
Rulers like Louis XIV of France held total authority through divine right, controlling laws, taxes, justice, and foreign policy while establishing elaborate courts like Versailles to maintain control.
Grade 5 students in World History and Geography explore absolutism in 17th-century Europe, learning how absolute monarchs like France's Louis XIV claimed divine right of kings to hold total power over lawmaking, taxation, and foreign policy. The lesson examines how Louis XIV's court at Versailles became the model of absolutism across Europe, and compares the rising powers of Prussia, Austria, and Russia under their own monarchs. Students also analyze the roles of Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin in strengthening royal authority before Louis XIV assumed sole rule in 1661.
Section 1
Absolute Monarchs Claim Divine Power
Rulers like Louis XIV of France held total authority through divine right, controlling laws, taxes, justice, and foreign policy while establishing elaborate courts like Versailles to maintain control.
Section 2
Louis XIV Centralizes French Government
The Sun King removed nobles from his royal council, controlled policy-making, built an army of 400,000, and pursued religious unity by persecuting Huguenots, making France Europe's dominant power.
Section 3
Prussia Builds Military Strength
Frederick William created a powerful 40,000-man army and established the General War Commissariat to collect taxes and govern. Prussian Junkers served as officers and officials in this growing state.
Section 4
Peter the Great Westernizes Russia
Peter modernized Russia by building a 210,000-soldier standing army, creating St. Petersburg as a Baltic port, imposing Western customs, dividing Russia into provinces, and establishing the Table of Ranks.
Section 5
European Powers Reshape Their Borders
While Spain declined despite reform attempts, Austria created a diverse empire in eastern Europe, and Russia expanded its territory through military campaigns against Sweden to gain Baltic Sea access.
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Section 1
Absolute Monarchs Claim Divine Power
Rulers like Louis XIV of France held total authority through divine right, controlling laws, taxes, justice, and foreign policy while establishing elaborate courts like Versailles to maintain control.
Section 2
Louis XIV Centralizes French Government
The Sun King removed nobles from his royal council, controlled policy-making, built an army of 400,000, and pursued religious unity by persecuting Huguenots, making France Europe's dominant power.
Section 3
Prussia Builds Military Strength
Frederick William created a powerful 40,000-man army and established the General War Commissariat to collect taxes and govern. Prussian Junkers served as officers and officials in this growing state.
Section 4
Peter the Great Westernizes Russia
Peter modernized Russia by building a 210,000-soldier standing army, creating St. Petersburg as a Baltic port, imposing Western customs, dividing Russia into provinces, and establishing the Table of Ranks.
Section 5
European Powers Reshape Their Borders
While Spain declined despite reform attempts, Austria created a diverse empire in eastern Europe, and Russia expanded its territory through military campaigns against Sweden to gain Baltic Sea access.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter