How did european exploration and expansion from 1500-1700 affect the rise of absolutism in western europe?
Absolutism was a part of the transition from feudalism to an era more modern governments and economies. In a feudalism landed nobility is very powerful and competes with the king for authority. The king needs the support of the nobles to maintain power. With the rise of the merchant class, kings relied less and less on the old ways. They could afford to ignore nobles, and keep more power for themselves. The reason expansion played a part in all this, is that it contributed to the growth of the merchant class. Increased trade to colonies and allowed for entrepreneurs to jump in and take advantage of changing circumstances. So, more trade meant more wealthy merchants, which meant weaker nobles, which meant stronger monarchs which is the definition of absolutism. I’ll admit, you’ll probably never need to know this to get a job or a date. For me history is a hobby. I feel like an informed member of society and it adds to my overall understanding of the way things work. All knowledge makes
