Final answer:
Absolutism weakened nations due to concentration of power, financial strain, and hindrance of civil society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Absolutism weakened nations for various reasons. One reason is that it concentrated power in the hands of a single monarch, which often led to poor decision-making and a lack of checks and balances. This allowed for corruption and inefficiency to thrive within the government.
Another reason is that absolutist rulers often pursued costly military campaigns and extravagant lifestyles, leading to financial strain on the nation. For example, Louis XIV of France engaged in numerous wars and invested heavily in the lavish Palace of Versailles, contributing to France's economic decline.
Additionally, absolutism hindered the growth of civil society and limited individual freedoms. By concentrating power in the hands of the monarch, it suppressed dissent and prevented the rise of competing centers of power, such as an independent judiciary or representative institutions.