In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, many European nations such as France and Russia were absolute monarchies. Even countries like England have had kings who at least attempted to implement absolutism. Indeed, the concept of absolutism, in which the monarch is undoubtedly the highest authority and absolute ruler of all elements of the kingdom, certainly appeals to any sovereign. However, this unlimited power was abused and by the end of the 18th century, absolutism had disappeared. Absolutism failed because the mistreatment of the population by monarchs caused the people to revolt against their power and policies. Many factors are at the root of this discontent. On the one hand, there was great loss of life. Louis XIV of France participated in four wars, while Peter of Russia mercilessly executed anyone who opposed his will. Second, monarchs attempted to change religious beliefs. This was notable in England, where leaders such as James II wished to convert the Anglican nation to Catholicism. Finally, the burden of taxation exceeded what the population could bear. France found itself facing a huge foreign debt, English kings constantly tried to raise funds, and Peter of Russia increased taxes by 550 percent. These are some of the main reasons why absolutism failed in Europe. First of all, there was a lot of loss of life. Beginning in 1643 in England, the closest absolute king, Charles I, attempted to storm and arrest Parliament. His actions resulted in a civil war between those who supported the monarchy, the royalists, and those who supported parliament, the Roundheads, which did not end until 1649. Estimates of this war put the number of casualties at 200,000. for England and Wales while Ireland lost. approximate... middle of paper ...... searching for a way to alleviate the national debt, but the policies of finance ministers like Jacques Neckler and Charles Alexandre de Calonne further increased the debt. Louis would try to evoke the Assembly of Notables, composed of nobles, and later the Estates General, composed of peasants, to alleviate the economic burden. However, both assemblies were shocked and dissatisfied with the bad economy and revoked the king's power, leading to the French Revolution and forever abolishing France's absolutism. Works Cited Anderson, James Maxwell. History of Portugal. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 2000. Print. Diffie, Bailey W. Foundations of the Portuguese Empire, 1415-1580. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1977. Print.Russell-Wood, AJR Portuguese Empire, 1415-1808 a world in motion. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 1998. Print.