Absolutism in the Seventeenth Century

Increasing Power in the 17th Century Governmental systems in both France and England were greatly changing during the 17th Century. In England, absolute monarchies lost power while Parliament gained supremacy. France, on the other hand, saw Louis XIV strengthening his own offices and weakening both the Estates General and the local nobility. Absolutism, a political theory holding that all power should be vested in one ruler, was attempted by James I and Charles I of …

…and England resulted in one absolute monarchy and one nearly supreme parliament. Louis XIV did not face the challenge of a Parliament-like institution, while England depended upon that institution to maintain its government. Louis also had the support of the people while the English gave their allegiance to Parliament. France and England were destined to have contrasting forms of government in the 17th century. Works Cited -Prentice Hall. The Western Heritage. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001.