The establishment of Absolutism at home, 1661–1685 common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing Absolutism with Constitutional Monarchy

  Students often confuse absolutism with constitutional monarchy, thinking both involve strong royal power.

  Fix itAbsolutism grants the monarch total control without legal limitations, while constitutional monarchy is limited by laws or a constitution.

• Confusing Absolutism with Democracy

  Students often mistake absolutism for democratic governance, failing to recognize the centralization of power in a single ruler.

  Fix itUnderstand that absolutism involves the concentration of power in the hands of one individual, contrasting sharply with democratic principles.

• Confusing Colbert's role with Louis XIV's

  Students often attribute all economic successes directly to Louis XIV without recognizing Colbert's specific contributions.

  Fix itAcknowledge Colbert's role as a key architect of economic policy under Louis XIV, highlighting his specific reforms and their impacts.

• Confusing Jansenism with Protestantism

  Students often conflate Jansenism with Protestant beliefs, failing to recognize it as a Catholic reform movement.

  Fix itClarify that Jansenism was a Catholic movement that opposed certain Jesuit teachings, distinct from Protestantism.