Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter 21. What is Absolutism? Political belief that one ruler should...
Transcript of Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter 21. What is Absolutism? Political belief that one ruler should...
Absolute Monarchs in Europe
Chapter 21
What is Absolutism?
• Political belief that one ruler should have total (ABOLUTELY ALL) power– Despot-Ruler with total power– Absolute Monarch-King or Queen with total
power
What is Absolutism?
• Based on the Divine Right of Kings– God created the monarchy– Monarch is God’s representative on Earth– Monarch answers only to God.
Not to His/Her subjects
Louis XIV• Frances most powerful
ruler – Sun King– “I am the State”– Built Palaces at Versailles
to show his power and make other monarchs jealous
Causes of Absolutism• Long-term causes
– Decline of Feudalism– Rise of cities and
middle class– Rise of nationalism– Loss of Church
authority
Causes of Absolutism
• Short-Term Causes– Religious/territorial conflicts– Build-up of armies– Increasing taxes– Revolts by peasants or nobles
Religious Wars
• Conflict between Catholics & Protestants (Huguenots) led to EIGHT civil wars in France form 1562 - 1598
Religious Wars
• Thirty Years War in Germany
(1618 – 1648)
Key royal house
= Hapsburg
Religious Wars
• Thirty Years War in Germany
(1618 – 1648)
– Started when Bohemian Protestants revolted against the Catholic Hapsburg rulers
– Conflict over religion, territory & power of ruling families involved almost all major Euro. powers
Religious Wars
• Thirty Years War in Germany
(1618 – 1648)
Effects: – Devastated Germany’s Economy– Weakened Spain and Austria– Strengthened France– START OF MODERN STATE SYSTEM IN
EUROPE.
Some Absolute Monarchs
• Maria Theresa– Austria– Only inherited the
throne after other European powers agreed to recognize her as heir
Some Absolute Monarchs• Frederick the
Great– Prussia
– Believed that a ruler should be like a father to his people
Some Absolute Monarchs
• Philip II– Spain
– Defended Catholicism & helped stimulate art and literature
Some Absolute Monarchs• Ivan the Terrible
– Russia
– Took Power from the Boyars (nobles) after accusing them of poisoning his wife
There were Alternatives
• United provinces of the Netherlands– Religious tolerance– Elected governors
depended on landowners & merchants for power
There were Alternatives
• England– Parliament struggled with absolute rulers over
money, religion and individual rights
There were Alternatives• England
– Conflict eventually led to the English Civil War between Puritans and Royalists
(Parliament) (the King)
There were Alternatives• England
– English Civil War• After the Puritans won
Their leader, Oliver Cromwell
became a military dictator
There were Alternatives
• England
–English Civil War• The Monarchy was restored after his death…but it WAS NOT absolute
There were Alternatives
• England
– Glorious Revolution• William & Mary
came to power• They agreed to a
Constitutional Monarchy, where laws limit the rulers power
Effects of Absolutism
• Short term effects– Rules about social gatherings & religion
controlled the spread of ideas– Huge building projects– New government bureaucracies– Loss of power for nobility & legislatures
(Parliament)
Effects of Absolutism
• Long term Effects– French Revolution– Western European influences on Russia– English political reforms influence U.S.
Democracy