1. Decline of Feudalism:
The feudal system, based on landownership and decentralized power structures, gradually declined due to various factors, including the growth of trade, the rise of urban centers, and increased military power of monarchs.
2. Hundred Years' War (1337-1453):
The prolonged conflict between England and France drained resources and weakened feudal lords, further enhancing the authority of centralized monarchies.
3. Wars of the Roses (1455-1485):
The civil war in England resulted in the consolidation of power under the Tudor dynasty, strengthening the monarchy's control.
4. Consolidation of Territory:
Monarchs sought to expand their territories through conquest, inheritance, and marriage alliances, leading to larger and more unified nation-states.
5. Administrative Reforms:
Efficient bureaucratic systems were established, allowing monarchs to exercise greater control over their domains and streamline governance.
6. Mercantilism:
The economic doctrine of mercantilism, which emphasized state control over trade and resources to accumulate wealth and power, contributed to the rise of centralized nation-states.
7. Standing Armies:
Permanent armies were developed, reducing reliance on feudal levies and increasing royal authority.
8. Royal Courts and Patronage:
Monarchs used lavish courts, cultural patronage, and propaganda to enhance their prestige, legitimize their power, and control the narrative.
9. Religious Reformation and Wars:
The religious conflicts of the Protestant Reformation further increased the power of monarchs, as they claimed control over religious affairs and dissolved the authority of the Catholic Church within their territories.
10. Enlightenment and Absolutism:
Some rulers embraced the ideas of the Enlightenment, promoting the concept of enlightened despotism, where absolute monarchs used their power for the betterment of their subjects.
Examples of absolute monarchies during this period include France under Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), Russia under Peter the Great, and Prussia under Frederick the Great. These rulers exemplified the notion of absolute power and centralized control that characterized many European nation-states before the rise of democratic and representative systems of governance.