Negative Effects Of Absolute Monarchs

Nation-states in Europe from 1500s-1700s were ruled by absolute monarchs who ruled in their belief of divine right. This power was beneficial when used by some monarchs and detrimental when used by others.. Some monarchs use of power proved to be both detrimental and beneficial. This is because some monarchs put their thoughts and beliefs over the protection of their people and a number did not make these mistakes and tried to protect their people, with mixed results for each choice.
While, most monarchs attempt to care for their people, not all do. A case of this is Louis XIV, whom did not care for his people’s needs. Louis XIV declared in the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes that freedoms will be taken from those who are Huguenots. Here

One monarch who executes this is Peter I of Russia. An Austrian account reveals that Peter was savage in his punishment of the revolting Streltsy, displaying his not only protectiveness but also his close mindedness. While it is good that he was willing to go quickly to defend his realm it also shows him not willing to give up his power to care for his people. Another example of Peter I, the Great benefiting and causing detriment for his people is in an image of him cutting a boyar’s beard. By instating the beard taxe he benefited his people by controlling their vanity and making sure that they are not burdened by it. However, by instating the tax he also was bringing them detriment by controlling their freedom of choice. While this was not as detrimental with the beard tax, it displays that he sees no wrong in controlling the choices of others. Although Peter I caused detriment as well as some benefits, a number of monarchs only caused

In an excerpt of a speech she gave to the troops at Tilbury in 1558 Elizabeth demonstrates her leadership by proclaiming that she trusts her people and is prepared to fight to defend them. By doing this she showed loyalty and that she was protective of her people, that she cared for them. Elizabeth was able to inspire them by using her power as queen to go to the battlefield and show her willingness to fight among them. By doing this she used her authority to tend to her subjects and care for them. As a queen of England, Elizabeth was well educated and careful with her words. She knew that if she spoke a facility that people would anger and so picked her words well. With this information as well as her popularity as a monarch that these words are to be trusted, for if they were false Elizabeth would not be so beloved by her people. Another monarch whose actions resulted in the benefit of their people is Henry IV. In the Edict of Nantes he protects the minority of Huguenots who are his people by declaring that their freedoms should be protected, meaning that they can no longer be persecuted. Huguenots were Protestants that sought to reform the church were being widely persecuted by Catholics, whom Henry IV himself was. Knowing this it is clear that he was putting benefiting his subjects over benefiting himself. There is a sliding scale between the benefits that