Absolutismo

During the 1500 and 1600’s a totalitarian type of Government rose in Western Europe; absolutism. These absolute regimes were based on the fundamentals of Divine Right of Kings and supported the idea that “God intended the Sovereign’s Family to lead the Nation”. This type of powerful rule was introduced by Pepin the Short in 751 C.E., and prolonged by Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor. Absolutism is a totalitarian and monarchial type of government where absolute monarchs controlled with an iron fist their territories; they bore immeasurable authority and power. Absolute monarchs’ central ambition was focus on territorial growth and economic supremacy. Even though great, powerful and prosperous empires rose during this period of time, oppression, corruption, nepotism and most of all inequality affected the life of its citizens.

Implemented by Monarchs in England, Spain, France, Prussia, Russia, and Austria, absolutism stated that power needed to be unified in one person to succeed. Absolutists strongly postulated that the only way for a government to be powerful enough and impose terror and obedience among its citizen was, if all the control is in one person. During this period of time common citizen did not have any rights or respect from their leaders. This also was a time where nationalisms rose, religious conflicts emerged especially between the two most powerful religions: Protestants and Catholics. Domestic conflicts for power between the rulers and the aristocrats were very common and external warfare from trade disputes was frequent between these reigns.

One of these absolute monarchs was Phillip II of Spain from the Hapsburg dynasty; he became King at age 29. During his reign he tried to limit the influence of the aristocracy, also he was a fervent protector of the Catholic Church. His efforts were dedicated to increasing Naval Influence among its neighbors. Another of these supreme leaders was Elizabeth I of England from the Tudor dynasty, she became Queen at age 25, establishing the Anglican Church of England she also promoted the explorations of Sir Francis Drake and became patron of the arts. Her reign was one of the major cultural periods in English history; the Elizabethan or Golden Age. However Louis XIV of France became the quintessential ruler of this period of human history by adopting the motto “Le etat est moi” in other words, the State is me. Louis XIV, also known, as the Sun King was able reduced the influence and power of the Nobility, he also became Patron of Arts & Education and he engaged France in three important wars His excess and his life of luxury and splendor left the country close to financial ruin.

Absolutism was a form of Government that rose in western Europe during the 1500s and 1600s centuries. It stated that power has essentially to be centralized in one absolute Monarch in order to prevail. Monarchs who showed a total low esteem for common people. This was

...