1) Enlightenment ideas: The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, played a significant role in challenging the absolute rule and divine rule in Europe. Thinkers such as John Locke and Voltaire advocated for the rights of individuals and the idea of limited government, which directly contradicted the notion of absolute rule.
2) Social inequality: The rigid social hierarchy prevalent in Europe during this period, with a small elite holding all the power and wealth, led to growing discontent among the masses. The majority of the population, including the middle class and peasants, faced economic hardships and lacked political representation. This inequality fueled opposition to the absolute rule and divine rule, as people sought greater social and political rights.
3) Economic factors: The rise of capitalism and the Industrial Revolution brought about significant economic changes in Europe. As trade and commerce expanded, the middle class emerged as a powerful social group. These new economic elites desired political power and representation, leading to their opposition to the absolute rule and divine rule, which denied them such rights.
4) Religious conflicts: Europe witnessed numerous religious conflicts during this period, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years' War. These conflicts challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and the divine right of monarchs, as different religious groups sought religious freedom and the right to practice their own faith. The resulting religious diversity and conflicts contributed to the rise of opposition against absolute and divine rule.
5) Influence of the American and French Revolutions: The American Revolution, with its successful fight against British colonial rule, and the French Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy, inspired people across Europe to question the legitimacy of absolute and divine rule. The ideals of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty promoted by these revolutions had a profound impact on the rise of opposition to traditional forms of rule.
6) Intellectual and cultural movements: Intellectual and cultural movements, such as Romanticism, also played a role in opposing absolute and divine rule. Romanticism emphasized the importance of individualism, emotions, and national identity, which clashed with the idea of absolute rule and the divine right of monarchs. Artists, writers, and philosophers of the Romantic era often criticized the oppressive nature of these forms of rule.
7) Political and social reforms: The rise of opposition to absolute and divine rule was also fueled by political and social reforms implemented by some European monarchs. For example, in England, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, limiting the powers of the monarch and granting more rights to Parliament. These reforms demonstrated that alternative forms of governance were possible, further encouraging opposition to absolute and divine rule.