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Enlightenment-Based Absolutism
The height of early absolutism in Europe coincided with the Age of Enlightenment, where the fields of science and technology flourished with financial support from the new, all-powerful rulers. The scene in Testelin's painting depicts this through showing King Louis XIV being presented with the fruits of his scientific investments. Testelin, Henri. Colbert Presenting the Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences to Louis XIV in 1667 -
King Louis' France
King Louis XIV, the absolute monarch of France uruled from his Versailles estate, which provides a good representation of the extravagant wealth weilded by the head of an absolutist state; one that, as Thmasius' book depicts, was influential even to foreign nations. Thomasius, Christian. Von nachahmung der Franzosen. Nach den ausgaben von 1687 und 1701. Translated by Thomas Höpel. March 22, 2012. -
Stalin's Regime
The USSR, as a partially European nation, was the last vestige of European absolutism. It is evident through the frequent, sometimes daily, addresses to the public called the 'Order of the Day' that Stalin believed controlling public opinion would keep them loyal to the regime. Stalin, Joseph V. Order of the Day: April 11, 1944. Red Star Press Ltd., London, 1984. Marxists Internet Archive (2009). http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1944/04/11.htm -
Mussolini's Italy
Mussolini's reign as Italy's head of state, beginnning in 1925, was markedly noted for being run on the fascist ideals of the nation's leader. These ideals, as outlined in Mussolini's own doctine, contributed greatly to the public's eventual dissaproval of him and his absolutist regime. Mussolini, Benito. The Doctrine of Fascism. Rome: Ardita Publishers, 1935. -
Hitler's Germany
Hitler's absolutist state is remembered primarily for its ruthless efficiancy, especially through the use of concentration camps to control an eradicate 'undesirable' populations. A military report given by Munich Himmler proves just how efficiant the systematic violence was. Third Reich. Münchener Neueste Nachrichten: Report on the opening of the Dachau Concentration Camp, no. 79, March 21 1933. -
Modernity-Based Absolutism
Like in the early period of absolutism, advancements in science and technology were occuring at the time. However, the modern science of World War 2 was being used to produce advanced weapons such as tanks and mustard gas. The interview of Mairi Chisholm, a nurse who experienced a mustard gas attack firsthand, explains what it was like to suffer the effects of these darker innovations. Chisholm, Mairi. The Chisholm Papers. Written interview. June 1976. Imperial War Museum, London.
