Absolutism, especially the French kind

Cold winters of the late 16th-century continued into the 17th.
Pieter Brueghel the Elder, The Hunters in the Snow,  1565

AP Euro review over the past week has been criss-crossing the the 17th century, generally a rough time: destructive wars, growth of serfdom in eastern Europe, and bad weather.  Amidst this several monarchs increased their power. In review we have mentioned but not discussed the growth of absolutism, especially in France during the 1600s.  French Kings, especially Louis XIV, strove become the absolute rulers of their countries.  While they never achieved this ideal, the power of central governments and the state did expand in many places, even in constitutional England.  In absolute monarchies--France, Spain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire--this meant more power in the hands of the monarch.  Places where this concentration of power did not happen, such as Poland, were often overpowered by stronger states.

To review you might view the short video below on Louis XIV.  There is also a short quiz on a few of these topics.  Enjoy!