What was Absolutism? Who were the Absolute rulers across Europe? What
was particular to French Abosolutism and how did reality differ the
theory of Absolutism in France?

Absolutism is 'a government or theory of government by a ruler with
unrestricted power'. (The Chambers dictionary 2001).

This type of government evolved in Europe from the 1400's through to
the 1700's.

Previously, the monarchy's rule was limited by another power, such as
the church.

For a rundown of the Absolute Rulers of Europe, please go here:

http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:z8A91So-h4MC:mclane.fresno.k12.ca.us/departments/mwh/C/MH05C021.PDF+absolutism+europe+%22absolute+rulers%22+%22peter+the+great%22+%22philip+II%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

For quick reference, key absolute rulers were:

Philip II (Spain and Portugal)
Henry IV & Louis XIV (France)
Maria Theresa (Austria)
Peter I - Peter The Great (Russia)
Frederick the Great (Prussia)

Particulars Of French Absolutism

Prior to the reign of Louis XIV, France

"a) Subordinated all offices to the monarchy
 b) weakened the power of the nobles - destroyed castles and other
symbols of independence
 c) recruited for the army
 d) supervised tax collection
 e) checked on nobility - beheaded traitorous nobles like Montmorency
 f) regulated economic activity 
 g) reshuffled royal council to weaken potential enemies"
(http://www.angelfire.com/tx/sandersonAP/NotesFrenAbs.html)

In the reign of Louis XIV:

"There were many insurrections due to high taxes and grain shortages.
He temporarily solved finance problems by cooperating with local
elites.
He had complete control over all classes of society. 
He ruled from Versailles, where he required the nobility to reside for
several months each year.
He ruled without political influence from wife and mistress
He never called the Estates General 
Other monarchs imitated Louis and French replaced Latin as the
language of the educated.
His weakness was always finances. 
He appointed Jean-Baptiste Colbert Controller of Finances.
Colbert believed the wealth of the country should serve the state. 
He applied the theory of mercantilism to France. 
Mercantilism - government policies for the regulation of economic
activities by and for the state.
He believed France should be self-sufficient - set up industries to
replace imports."
(http://www.angelfire.com/tx/sandersonAP/NotesFrenAbs.html)

Differences between theory and reality:
Louis was successful because he cooperated with the aristocracy. This
flies in the face of the theory of absolutism.
The French lacked the technology to control subjects' lives, so the
power of absolutism was limited.
An inadequate tax base meant they didn't have the funding to put
theory into practice.

(http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/absolutism.html)

Hope this helps

sim-ga



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