9th Grade: Absolutism Review Questions (+ Answers)

Hello 9th graders! Here are your absolutism review questions!

Please remember that you are allowed to bring one page of notes (only one side with writing, please) to use on the quiz. You are NOT ALLOWED to simply copy and paste these questions, nor to directly copy them. You need to re-write any notes you bring in your own words, and not in question (answer) format like I have used below.

If you do come with your notes in this format you will not be allowed to use them on the quiz.

1. What is absolutism? (form of monarchy in which political sovereignty and government power are located in a monarch who rules by divine right without any checks or balances)

2. What is divine right? (idea that a leader’s power is given by God, they are responsible only to God)

3. What is the balance of power? (nations keep themselves at the same level of power as other nations to avoid war)

4. What is a dynasty? (ruling family which passes power from one generation to the next because of divine right)

5. What countries did we study that had Absolutist rulers? (England, Spain, India, Russia, France)

6. Is the following an example of an absolutist ruler? Why or why not? In 1689 King William and Queen Mary became the monarchs of England. Before they were crowned, they accepted the English Bill of Rights which required the monarchy to work with Parliament to govern the country. The monarchs were required to regularly call on Parliament to meet and lost their power to suspend laws. The responsibility of coordinating the countries finances and power to tax were given to the lower house of Parliament, known as the House of Commons. (No—they have checks and balances, right to rule was given by people, do not have political sovereignty)

7. Is the following an example of an absolutist ruler? Why or why not? According to the Mandate from Heaven, the right to rule China is granted by Heaven. The Chinese believed that since there was only one Heaven, there could be only one ruler. Chinese emperors that were part of the Han dynasty referred to themselves as Sons of Heaven, and commanded respect from all their subjects. Chinese law dictated that the emperor’s position could not be challenged by anyone. Emperors handpicked governors and officials in order to centralize their authority and spread their power. Each emperor served as head of state and commander of the army. They chose whether or not to listen to advisors, but had no legislative body to monitor imperial power or prevent abuse. (Yes—power given by god, no challenges to their power, did not have to listen to their government)

8. Name one of the 3 critical attributes of absolutism (Rule by divine right, political sovereignty, no checks and balances)

9. Name one of the 3 critical attributes of absolutism (Rule by divine right, political sovereignty, no checks and balances)

10. Name one of the 3 critical attributes of absolutism (Rule by divine right, political sovereignty, no checks and balances)

11. Name one negative thing about Louis XIV (lived well while others suffered, misspent government funds, persecuted protestants/those who disagreed with him, was not well liked by those below him)

12. What is political sovereignty? (centralized (all with ruler) control over all aspects of the government, including economy, war, domestic and foreign affairs)

13. What are checks and balances? (governmental bodies put in place to stop the ruler from having unlimited power)

14. Who was Shah Jahan, and was he an absolutist ruler? Why or why not?

15. Who was King Phillip II of Spain, and was he an absolutist ruler? Why or why not?

16. Who was Catherine the Great, and was she an absolutist ruler? Why or why not?

17. Who was James II of England, and was he an absolutist ruler? Why or why not?

18. Name one positive thing about Louis XIV (builder, helped merchants, made country catholic, France had Golden Era when he was king)

19. Who was a better ruler, Louis XIV or Peter the Great? Why?

20. Does Machiavelli say it is better for a ruler to be loved or feared? (feared, although he felt both were ok)

21. Do you think it is better for a ruler to be loved or feared? Why?

22. Do you think Peter the Great was more loved or more feared? Why?

23. Describe what life was like for Absolutist Monarchs (good, could do whatever, spent money however they liked, were never alone, always had people trying to get them to do things)

24. Describe what life was like for the people who lived under the rule of an absolutist monarch. (bad, no food, could gain favor with the King or queen—depended on where you lived)

25. Would you have wanted to be an absolutist monarch? Why or why not?

Extra credit opportunity: Use the comments section below to leave information about the Absolutist Monarch you researched for the in-class role play!

Happy Studying!
KF