Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Spain’s Empire

Chapter 21.1

Quick Question…

What do you think of when you hear the word “ABSOLUTE”

What are some synonyms for this word?

Quick Introduction…

What is an ABSOLUTE MONARCH? A king or queen who has total power, and seeks to

control all aspects of society

What gives the king their power? Divine Right – belief that God gave the king his

“right” to be king (God’s Representative)

Feudalism Renaissance Growth of Cities

Growth of Nationalism

Need for Central Power

Evolution of Absolutism

I. Spain’s Rise to Power

In the 1500s Spain gained land, this meant that Spain gained “power and influence.”

Spain had an ABSOLUTE RULER, Charles V. What he controlled:

Spain Spain’s colonies in the New World Parts of Italy, Netherlands, and Austria Much of Germany

Charles V split his land, and retired to a monastery

Phillip II of Spain

His dad was Charles V (from the other slide) His dad left him Spain, and many of his other holdings Spain became very rich from their colonies in the New

World, this made Phillip very wealthy and powerful.

Philip was a defender of Catholicism, (he hated the Muslims and Protestants) so he sent his large naval fleet to England to punish all non-Catholics.

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

Who: English vs. Spanish When: 1588 Where : English Channel Details:

130 Spanish Ships attacked the English navy English Navy outmaneuvered Spanish, and used

long range guns on them

Results: Spain was weakened English Navy became the strongest navy on the

Planet

Problems within the Spanish Empire

The massive wealth that Spain acquired, led to long-term financial problems. Inflation – value of money is worth less, because so

many people have lots of it. Tax Problems for the Lower Class, led to the near

elimination of Middle Class. King had to borrow money from other countries, and 3

times he had to declare bankruptcy.

II. Birth of the NetherlandsThe Dutch Revolt

Phillip had to raise an army to keep his subjects under control.

Many Dutch were Calvinist (Spain was Catholic).

The Dutch had a prosperous Middle Class

Phillip raised taxes in the Netherlands and tried to end Protestantism.

Dutch Revolt (cont’d)

1566 angry protestant mobs swept through Catholic Churches.

1568 Phillip had 1500 protestants killed. 1579 they claimed their independence

and became the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

Independent Dutch Prosper

United Provinces of the Netherlands practiced religious toleration.

They were a Republic (each province had an elected governor)

Stable gov’t led to economic growth (large fleet allowed for lots of trading!)

Dutch Art

During 1600s, the Netherlands became what Florence had been in the 1400s (remember the Renaissance?) The best banks and artists Rembrandt van Rijn was the best.

Portraits of wealthy merchants Group portraits Sharp contrast of light and dark, showed

individuality of each person

Absolutism Dominates Europe

Why did monarchs gain power?1. Decline of feudalism

2. Rise of cities

3. Merchants supported monarchs

4. Crises Religious and territorial conflicts Monarchs tried to regulate this by gaining

more power

Absolutism in France:The Reign of Louis 14th

Chapter 21

Section 2

III. Setting the Stage for Louis 14A. Henry 4 There were BIG problems in France with religious

connotations. The Catholics and the Huguenots (French

Protestants) were constantly fighting. There was a time of peace when Henry of Navarre (a

Huguenot prince) came to power He converted to Catholicism in order to help the country Signed the Edict of Nantes – meant religious

toleration for the Huguenots in France. He was assassinated by a fanatic who did not like

Setting the Stage for Louis 14: Louis 13

B. Louis 13th

WEAK king Richelieu was his main “advisor”

He pretty much ran the kingdom, not Louis He hated the Huguenots Strengthened his own power by weakening the nobles

influence (made them take down their fortified castles)

New Thinking & Writing in France Skepticism – NOTHING CAN BE CERTAIN Descartes – took these ideas and applied them to science

C. Louis 14The Most Powerful Ruler of France “I am the state” – meaning that he was

France Began his rule when he was 4 years old Because he was so young when he took

over, he had an advisor – Mazarin. Mazarin’s “rule” caused the nobles to

revolt. Louis hated this and made up his mind that he would become so powerful that the nobles would NEVER rise against him. Louis excluded them from councils and taxed

them

The Actions of Louis 14 Expanded the economy

Jean Baptist Colbert – Minister of Finance used Mercantilism to build France’s bank accounts

Focused on making money in the New World (fur trade)

Over-turned the Edict of Nantes Persecuted the Huguenots, so they left, and took

jobs and money with them. Pampered himself

Lived in TOTAL luxury, had 500 servants, cooks, etc. who looked after his every desire.

Patron of the Arts Ballet and the Opera

Louis 14 Extends France’s Borders Under Louis’ leadership, France

became the most powerful nation in Europe. Largest Population French Army: Best trained, best

weapons, most soldiers With this large army, Louis began to

expand the French borders. Early in his campaigns he had success Eventually his luck ran out Hurt the people, b/c the high cost war

was paid with taxes

D. One Last War for the French

The French people wanted peace. What they got was another war

The War of Spanish Succession France and Spain were on the verge of unification Other countries of Europe were scared that this would be

too much power for the Bourbon Kings. Result: Spain and France were beaten, and the thrones

were not permitted to be unified.

French Expansion

Louis 14: Legacy & DeathPositives that Louis Brought

Strengthened France in Art & Literature

Strengthened French Military and influence in Europe

Strengthened the French Colonies in the New World

Negatives that Louis Brought Constant Warfare Lost of debts (palace and

fighting) High Taxes for the people Set the stage for the French

Revolution

Louis died in his bed in 1715. The French people celebrated when they heard the news.

Louis’ Palace: The Palace at Versailles The Palace at Versailles was 14 miles

outside of Paris. 5,000 acres of forests, gardens, and

lawns 1,400 Fountains, so many that they

could not even run them all at the same time. (The workers would just turn them on when Louis walked by, and turn them off when he walked away.)

The cost to build them palace was approximately $2.5 billion.

It took 36,000 people to build the Palace at Versailles.

Why do you think that Louis built this palace?

People who wanted to speak to the king could not knock on his door. Instead, using the left pinkie finger, they had to gently scratch on the door, until they were granted permission to enter. As a result, many courtiers grew that fingernail longer than the others

Palace at Versailles

Palace at Versailles

Central European Monarchs Clash

Chapter 21

Section 3

IV. The 30 Years War When: 1618 – 1648

Where: Bohemia (Czech Republic) Who: Protestants (with Lutheran help) and Catholics Details: Conflict over religion, territory, and for power among

European ruling families Results:

Hurt Germany most (lost 4 million people) Treaty: Peace of Westphalia This was the last religious war in Europe Europe became a group independent countries, rather than a

Catholic Empire

V. Formation of European Countries

Western Europe Serfs gained independence

and moved to cities to form the middle class

Strong Empires Strong Leaders

Central Europe Serfs were restricted from

leaving their farming lifestyles, stuck in the lower class

Weak Empires Weak Leaders

Central European Countries developed slowly. Western European countries developed quickly.

The 7 Years War When: 1756 - 1763 Where: Europe, India, North America Who: England vs. France (and their allies) Results: England gained the most

They took all of France’s holding in the New World England gained trading domination in India

Absolute Rulers of Russia

Chapter 21

Section 4

Russia’s Absolute Ruler: Ivan IV

Ivan IV a.k.a “Ivan the Terrible” Came to the throne when he was

only 3 years old. At the age of 16 he crowned

himself czar (Caesar) and took control Why would he want to be

recognized as “czar?”

Two Stages of Ivan’s Life “Good Stage” – 1547-1560

Married AnastasiaExpanded Russia’s landsCleaned-up the Russian legal

system

WIFE (ANASTASIA) DIED / He thought she was poisoned.

““Bad Stage” – 1560-1584Bad Stage” – 1560-1584Ivan put together a “secret Ivan put together a “secret police” who went around police” who went around hunting those suspected of hunting those suspected of being traitors (killed 1000s)being traitors (killed 1000s)

Killed his own son (oldest)Killed his own son (oldest)

Details about killing his son In 1581, Ivan beat his pregnant

daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, causing a miscarriage. His son, also named Ivan, upon learning of this, engaged in a heated argument with his father, which resulted in Ivan striking his son in the head with his pointed staff, causing his son's (accidental) death. This event is depicted in the famous painting by Ilya Repin, Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on Friday, November 16, 1581 better known as Ivan the Terrible killing his son

Russia’s Struggles After Ivan killed his oldest son there was only his

weak, youngest son to rule. He was too weak to lead effectively. He died without an heir. Then there was a question of who would now become

czar…enter Czar Peter the Great This began the rule of the Romanov Dynasty in Russia

(lasts 300 years)

Czar Peter I Known as Peter the Great 6’8” tall Took over in 1696 Strengthened the power of the czar (that is added to

his ABSOLUTE POWER) When Peter took over Russia was very backwards, in

that they still based their society on Vassals, serfs, etc., Peter was determined to change this.

Peter’s Reforms In 1697, Peter made a grand tour of Western Europe. Peter wanted to learn about their customs and manufacturing

techniques. In order to make “Westernize” Russia, Peter had to strengthen

is ABSOLUTE POWER. Here’s what he did: Controlled the Russian Church Reduced the power of the Upper Class, and created a Middle

Class Enlarged the Russian Army (raised taxes to pay them)

Peter’s Westernization of Russia The Westernization Process

Introduced Potatoes as a part of their diet Started a newspaper Allowed women to attend social gatherings Had the Nobles start wearing Western Fashions Education Focus: Navigation, Arts, and Sciences St. Petersburg: Russia’s warm water port (named after

Peter’s Patron Saint)

Results of Peter’s ActionsResults of Peter’s Actions: Russia became modernized, : Russia became modernized, and better off as a result of his efforts.and better off as a result of his efforts.

Chapter 21Section 5

Parliament Limits theEnglish Monarchy

Monarchs Defy Parliament

First, you need to understand that a MONARCHY is a form of ABSOLLUTISM.

The Monarchs (Kings and Queens) felt that they were above the law (i.e. – Parliament) Parliament – English version of Congress

Monarchs vs. ParliamentQueen Elizabeth – she

had problems with the parliament regarding money

James I – he had problems with the parliament regarding religion

Charles I – fired the Parliament – just got rid of it!

Details: Charles I vs. Parliament

Charles fired Parliament Then he needed them back to get him some money –

He “re-hired” them. The only way that Parliament would give him money is if he

signed the Petition of Right. No false imprisonment No taxes w/o Parliament’s consent No housing of soldiers in homes No martial (absolute) law in peace time

Charles signed it – then he IGNORED it. Parliament then withheld money – He fired them again…

English Civil War

Why? – because the people were mad at Charles for firing the Parliament (and Parliament was mad too)

When? – 1642 – 1649

Loyalists

•Supported Charles

•Called “Cavilers”

Also called “Royalists”

Puritans

•Supported Parliament

•Called Roundheads

•Leader was Oliver Cromwell

VS

Results of the English Civil War Oliver Cromwell’s

Roundheads defeated the Cavilers and imprisoned Charles

They put him on trial, sentenced him to death – chopped his head off.

Changes in Power Oliver Cromwell took over following the

civil war Formed a military state Very strict

Charles II in power After Cromwell died, the people

wanted to have a king – Charles II (Charles I son) took over.

He got along better with the Parliament, restoration took place in England.

Glorious Revolution

1685 Charles II died with NO heir His brother James II took over (but he was

catholic!) He soon offended Parliament and voted some

Catholic friends into high office (against the law)

Parliament protested, so he fired them His wife then had a son and the people were

scared that a long line of Catholics would rule.

Glorious Revolution (cont’d)

HOWEVER, James had an older Protestant daughter (Mary) who married William of Orange.

Parliament invited William to overthrow James II. He brought and army, James II was scared and fled the country

Thus, the Glorious Revolution began and ended with no fighting

William and Mary begin their reign and develop aCONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY :

There is a monarch in place, however they are limited in their power