Define the term royal absolutism

Royal absolutism is a form of government in which the monarch holds absolute power
over their subjects, unrestrained by any laws, parliaments, or other institutions. The
monarch is considered the supreme authority and can make decisions without
consulting anyone else.
This type of government was particularly prevalent in Europe during the 17th and 18th
centuries, with notable examples being Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of
Russia. Absolutism was often justified by the "divine right of kings," which claimed that
monarchs derived their power directly from God and were therefore accountable only to
him.
Explain why kings obtained absolute power.
Several factors contributed to the rise of absolute monarchy:
* Weakening of Feudal Power: The decline of feudalism, with its decentralized power structure,
created a vacuum that monarchs could exploit. They centralized authority, reducing the
influence of nobles and establishing direct control over their territories.
* Economic Changes: The growth of trade and commerce led to the rise of a new class of
wealthy merchants and artisans. These groups often supported strong central governments to
protect their interests and ensure stability.
* Religious Unrest: The Protestant Reformation and subsequent religious wars created a
climate of instability. Many people sought strong, centralized leadership to restore order and
suppress religious dissent.
* Military Advances: The development of professional armies and improved military technology
gave monarchs the means to enforce their will and suppress any opposition.
* The Divine Right of Kings: The belief that monarchs derived their power directly from God
provided a theological justification for absolute rule. This concept reinforced the idea that
monarchs were above the law and accountable only to God.
These factors combined to create an environment where monarchs could amass significant
power and establish absolute control over their kingdoms.

Discuss how divine rights were of kings were preached

The Divine Right of Kings was preached through various means:
* Religious Texts and Sermons: Priests and clergy often cited passages from the Bible to
support the idea of the monarch as God's chosen representative. They emphasized the
importance of obedience to the ruler as a religious duty.
* Court Rituals and Ceremonies: Elaborate court rituals and ceremonies were designed to
reinforce the monarch's divine status. These events often included religious elements, such as
coronations and blessings.
* Royal Propaganda: Monarchs and their advisors used propaganda to promote the idea of the
divine right of kings. This could include pamphlets, paintings, and other forms of media that
depicted the ruler as a majestic and divinely appointed figure.
 * Education: Children were taught from a young age to respect and obey the monarch.
Education often emphasized the importance of the divine right of kings and the need for loyalty
to the ruler.
* Suppression of Dissent: Monarchs who believed in the divine right of kings often took steps to
suppress any opposition or dissent. This could include imprisonment, exile, or even execution.
By combining these methods, proponents of the divine right of kings sought to create a belief
system that legitimized the monarch's absolute power and ensured the loyalty of their subjects.

Explain how,when and why absolute power of kings

declined
The Decline of Absolute Power of Kings: A More In-Depth Exploration
The decline of absolute power of kings was a gradual process that unfolded over several
centuries, culminating in the rise of democratic and republican forms of government. Several
key factors contributed to this shift:
1. The Enlightenment and the Rise of New Ideas:
The Enlightenment, a period of intellectual and cultural revolution in Europe, significantly
challenged the divine right of kings. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, and Montesquieu advocated for individual rights, limited government, and the social
contract theory, which argued that the power of the government derives from the consent of the
governed.
* Individual Rights: Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the importance of individual rights, such
as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. These ideas challenged the notion that the king
had absolute authority over his subjects.
* Limited Government: Enlightenment thinkers advocated for limited government, arguing that
the power of the government should be divided among different branches to prevent tyranny.
This idea contrasted with the absolute monarchy, where the king held all power.
* Social Contract Theory: The social contract theory, popularized by Locke and Rousseau,
argued that people create governments to protect their natural rights. This theory implied that if
the government failed to protect these rights, the people had the right to overthrow it.
2. Economic Changes and the Rise of the Middle Class:
Economic changes, particularly the rise of mercantilism and the Industrial Revolution,
contributed to the decline of absolute monarchy. Mercantilism, an economic system that
emphasized government control over trade and industry, led to the growth of a middle class of
merchants and artisans. This class demanded political representation and economic freedom,
challenging the traditional authority of the king.
* Mercantilism: While mercantilism was initially beneficial to monarchs, it also led to the rise of a
powerful middle class that demanded a say in government.
* Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution brought about significant economic and social
changes. The rise of factories and cities created new opportunities for people, but also led to
increased inequality and social unrest. This discontent challenged the legitimacy of absolute
monarchy.
3. Social and Political Unrest:
Social and political unrest, often fueled by religious conflicts, economic hardship, and social
inequality, contributed to the decline of absolute monarchy.
* Religious Wars: Religious conflicts, such as the Protestant Reformation, weakened the
authority of the Catholic Church and undermined the divine right of kings.
* Economic Hardship: Economic hardship, such as famines and economic crises, often led to
social unrest and protests against the government.
* Social Inequality: Social inequality, particularly the gap between the rich and the poor, fueled
discontent and challenged the legitimacy of absolute monarchy.
4. The Rise of Nationalism:
The rise of nationalism, a sense of shared identity and belonging to a nation, also contributed to
the decline of absolute monarchy. As people began to identify with their nation rather than their
ruler, they demanded self-government and challenged the authority of foreign monarchs.
5. World Wars and the Decline of Empires:
The First and Second World Wars weakened traditional empires and led to the rise of
democratic and republican governments. The devastation of these wars and the failure of
monarchies to address the needs of their people led to widespread disillusionment with
traditional forms of government.
Key Events and Turning Points:
* The Glorious Revolution in England (1688): This event established a constitutional monarchy,
limiting the power of the king and granting more rights to Parliament.
* The American Revolution (1775-1783): The American colonies declared independence from
Britain, establishing a republic based on democratic principles.
* The French Revolution (1789-1799): The French Revolution overthrew the absolute monarchy
and established a republic, inspiring revolutions across Europe.
In conclusion, the decline of absolute power of kings was a complex process driven by a
combination of intellectual, economic, social, and political factors. The Enlightenment, economic
changes, social unrest, nationalism, and global conflicts all played a significant role in shaping
the transition from monarchical rule to more democratic and representative forms of
government.
List examples of existing monarchs
Examples of Existing Monarchies
While many countries have transitioned to republics, several monarchies still exist around the
world. Here are some prominent examples:
Europe
* United Kingdom: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III
* Spain: King Felipe VI
* Sweden: King Carl XVI Gustaf
* Norway: King Harald V
* Denmark: Queen Margrethe II
* Netherlands: King Willem-Alexander
* Belgium: King Philippe
* Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri
* Monaco: Prince Albert II
* Liechtenstein: Prince Hans-Adam II
 * Andorra: Co-Princes (the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France)
Asia
* Japan: Emperor Naruhito
* Thailand: King Maha Vajiralongkorn
* Bhutan: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
* Brunei: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
* Malaysia: Yang di-Pertuan Agong (an elected monarch from among the nine hereditary rulers
of the states)
* Oman: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq
* Qatar: Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
* Saudi Arabia: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
* United Arab Emirates: President (currently Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan) and
individual rulers of each emirate
Africa
* Morocco: King Mohammed VI
* Lesotho: King Letsie III
* Eswatini: King Mswati III
Oceania
* Australia: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III (as King of
Australia)
* Canada: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III (as King of
Canada)
* New Zealand: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III (as
King of New Zealand)
* Papua New Guinea: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III
(as King of Papua New Guinea)
* Solomon Islands: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III (as
King of the Solomon Islands)
* Tonga: King Tupou VI
* Tuvalu: Queen Elizabeth II (until her death in 2022), followed by King Charles III (as King of
Tuvalu)