Final answer:
People followed absolute monarchs due to their claim of divine right, their role in maintaining social order, and practice of dynastic succession.
Step-by-step explanation:
People followed absolute monarchs throughout history for various reasons. Absolute monarchs claimed a divine right to rule, positioning themselves as the sole source of authority and were often seen as protectors and sovereign leaders who maintained social order and national unity. They enforced law and order to prevent the state of war and chaos, and their governance was initially accepted by cultures valuing stability, hierarchy, and unity over personal freedoms.
Monarchs ruled by the practice of dynastic succession, further solidifying their hold on power through inherited authority. In some regions, people consented to surrender their freedoms to a sovereign for peace and defense, as argued by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. However, views towards monarchy shifted over time, leading to movements against absolute control and towards constitutional monarchies, where the monarch's power is limited and ceremonial, with governance led by elected officials.