What arguments did the supporters and opponents of absolutism use to defend their respective positions
During the 17th century the leaders of France and England wanted absolute rule. Both countries wanted absolutism in the form of a Monarchy, with the king being the single ruler. However, France succeeded and obtained absolutism but England was forced into a more constitutional form of government where multiple political institutions ruled. Both had forms of absolute Monarchies but other issues brought troubles for the English, mostly Parliament. We'll see how political powers such as James I, Bishop Bosuett and Thomas Hobbes supported the idea of absolutism. Then we can see how Parliament and the Aristocracy led England to constitutional government. James I gave several points why a single ruler, the king, deserved to have absolute power. He believed that kings posses the same qualities that God does and they are direct descendants of God. "...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." It even states in the scriptures that kings are called Gods. James I believed that this alone should give kings the Divine Right and to dispute what God and the scriptures say is blasphemy. Also for this reason kings should be considered above the law. Ja
The disintegration of absolutism in England was greatly due to Parliament. James I believed in the Divine Right and hoped to rarely call upon Parliament. The main roll of Parliament was to work with the king to produce funds to support the state. During the time of James I revenues were falling. However, instead of calling upon Parliament to get funds James I started levying (outside of Parliament). Needless to say Parliament wasn't thrilled with the king going behind their back. Then under the reign of Charles I the war broke out with Spain. Although Parliament did support the war they did not adequately finance it because they distrusted the Monarch. So like James I, Charles I resorted to extra funds outside of Parliament. Once again this infuriated Parliament, so when they convened in 1628 they brought up the Petition of Right. This document limited the king's powers especially without convening Parliament. However, until the war with Scotland in 1640 no large funds were needed so Charles I dissolved Parliament again. Almost always due to some religious war kings needed Parliament. This story went on and on, kings used Parliament for a while for revenue during war times and then dropped them. When James II took the throne he managed to enrage the Aristocracy even more by imprisoning several Anglican bishops which were direct attacks against the nobles and landowners. *2 Donald Akagan et al., "Bishop Bossuet Defends the Divine Right of Kings," The Western Heritage, VII (New York: Macmillan 1995), 466 Before James II son was to take the throne Whig and Tory members decided to invade England to preserve the Anglican Church and Parliament government
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Approximate Word count = 1135
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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