Absolutism DBQ

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries there were two main forms of government. The two main forms of government were democracy and absolutism. Both of these types of government were effective in there own ways. Absolutism was the most effective type of government during that time period. Absolutism is when the ruler has complete authority over the government and the lives of the people of their nation. Many rulers had a democracy government but absolutism was more effective because the rulers had all the power and it was hard to take advantage of them instead of a democracy where many rulers can get over thrown by the people of that country.

Two forms of government that were used during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were democracy and absolutism. Both of these forms of governments were effective in there own ways, absolutism was more effective.

Portrait of John Locke, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Oi...

The Seat of Government

Government spending

Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" which was a simply a textbook on monarchy. He said the best way to rule was to be feared. Machiavelli wrote in his book that "Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it" (Document 1). King James I also believed that absolutism was the way to rule. He thought that kings were like gods therefore he believed in divine right. Divine Right is the authority to rule directly from God. "The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called gods" (Document 2). Another person that ruled in absolutism was Thomas Hobbes. He felt...