Absolutism within France was a political system associated with kings such as Louis XIII and, more particularly, Louis XIV. Absolutism or absolute monarchical rule was developing across Europe during the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Important politicians such as Cardinal Richilieu were staunch supporters of absolutism. Absolute rule meant that the power of the monarch was, in theory, unlimited except by divine law or by what was called ‘natural law’. In an absolute society, the only person who could change the powers of the monarch was the monarch him/herself.
However structuralists have argued that mass political movements in Germany were on the rise and did in fact influence politics. The power the Kaiser has was overwhelming because he didnt have to answer to neither the reichstag or the bundesrat, he ultimately has complete utter control over domestic and foreign policy. This would suggest that Wilhelmine Germany was an authoritarian state under the kaisers rule, but many historians such as Wehler suggested his own version of the argument which states that Wilhelmine Germany was in fact shaped by the elites (junkers) and the army which simply controlled the Kaiser from the shadows. In this essay i will discuss these interpretations offering the view that Wilhelmine Germany was an 'authoritarian' state under the rule of elites and ultimately the kaiser. Kaiser Wilhem II was an unpredictable, intelligent man with a poor judgement, hardly the kind of person you would give almost unchallenged political powers.
Absolutism affects the power of all social classes, especially the nobility. In such a government, control rests in one dominant authority over ever other rule. In cases like Louis XIV’s France, Catherine the Great’s Russia, and Maria Theresa’s Austria, the nobility was put on a very short leash by the aforementioned rulers. In all cases, when an absolutist state (or a form of absolutism) was achieved, the nobility’s power was greatly diminished. After she seized the throne from her husband Peter III, Catherine the Great sought a social reform, among her other policies.
Their argument to autocracy was based on the view that it was a practical necessity due to the Empire being so vast and diverse. They did not take advice from an elected parliament and instead, the country was run by the Committee of Ministers (established in 1861) whose membership consisted of around 10 to 13 administrators. The Tsar had the overall power to both appoint and dismiss ministers, which therefore supports the view that repression was a consistent occurrence, as democracy for the people was never allowed. This autocratic style of government was exchanged between rulers in 1917 when the Bolsheviks seized power in the October Revolution, with Vladimir Lenin as their figurehead. The Commissars similarly demonstrated absolute rule during their reigns as Heads of State.
They claimed the ‘precedent of Richard II’s minority to support their actions.’ Though the council did rule fairly on the whole, it created a big problem. Henry VI became king at the age of 11 months after Henry V died in August 31, 1422. However before Henry V died, he had made many plans for his sons minority on his death bed. John, Duke of Bedford, was appointed senior regent of the realm and was in charge of the ongoing war in France. During Bedford’s absence, the government of England was headed by Henry V’s other brother, Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, who was appointed Protector and Defender of the Realm.
Name Mrs. D'Alessandro History H 2B 12/28/12 Absolutism DBQ Absolutism was widely used by many monarchs in Western Europe, between the 1500s and the 1600s. Many Kings and Queens exercised absolute monarchy, including King James I of England, King Louis XIV of France, Queen Elizabeth of England, and Queen Isabella of Spain. Most monarchs' opinions' as to why they had a divine right to rule was God related and exercised it as such, by demanding being treated like one, or being treated like one because of fear. Absolute monarchs had mostly the same ideas of what absolute monarchy was to be defined as, and excised it according to their beliefs. Many observers wrote their own opinions to both matters, and often commented
The Embargo Act of 1807 is perhaps the most contradictory decision Jefferson has made in his presidency. Due to impressments of America sailors into the British Army, as well as Great Britain and France both trying to hinder American trade with the other side, Jefferson passed the act which prohibited all foreign trade, to and from the United States. This obliterated any views he was believed to have of a weak central government. The
Totalitarianism: system of government in which the government essentially controls every aspect of people’s livs. xxii. Authoritarianism: system of government in which the governments holds strong powers but is checked by some forces. xxiii. Constitutionalism: government that is structured by law, and in which the power of government is limited.
But, pure democracy, where everyone weighs in on every issue, becomes impractical as societies become larger, more complex, and replete with issues. Therefore, a representative republic is a logical alternative for a functional government, in a society that assumes that all men are created equal. Jonathan Boucher, an Anglican minister opposed to the American Revolution[i], stated that a government formed by the
“The problem with kingdoms and empires is that they are often built by powerful rulers who conquer the land by military might and eventually create a dynasty that is ruled absolutely. This is the reason why all of the empires built in the 14th and 15th centuries collapsed.” The Ming, Songhai and Mughal dynasties of the 14th and 15th centuries were all autocratic empires, absolutely ruled. They were all based on military might and absolute control, which in many cases would have lead to their demise and eventual collapse but in this essay I will explore the fact that there are many other possible catalysts to the collapse of the empires. The Mughal Empire covered northern and central India. Its court was a magnificent centre of power and luxury.