Age of Absolutism
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Transcript of Age of Absolutism
Age Of Absolutism
It is important to understand
the roles of these monarchs
and how their actions led to the Enlightenment and Revolutions.
Absolute Monarchies
Absolute Monarch – a ruler with complete authority over the government and the lives of the people
In Europe almost all nations were ruled by absolute monarchs
Absolute Monarchies
Divine Right of Kings – the power of the kings comes from God
Therefore the kings laws are to be obeyed
The king-who was above the law, could rule any way he wished
Rise of Absolute Monarchs
decline of feudalism and growth of national kingdoms – centralize authoritygrowing middle class – loyal to monarchsincreasing wealth (thanks to the colonies – mercantilism)decrease of Church power (remember the Reformation?)Crises – religious, class, & territorial disputes – monarchs created order
Philip II – Spain
Absolute Monarch of Spain Wealthy empire – colonies Large standing army Catholic (Counter)-
Reformation leader Golden Age of Spanish Art
(Cervantes – Don Quixote) Fought religious wars w/
Protestants in Netherlands His Armada lost to
Elizabeth’s (England) navy
France – Louis XIV
The Sun King – he believed the destiny of France revolved around him - “I am the state”
Built Palace at Versailles
Elaborate – kept nobles there to keep an eye on them
Louis XIV
Able King France was the center of
culture Patron of the arts – art
glorified the king Wars left debt and many
poor
Religious and Political Causes – all countries involved at some point
Peace of Westphalia Germany damaged and
divided Rise of Austria – Maria
Theresa Prussia - Frederick the
Great – army, taxation
Thirty Years War
Russia – Peter the Great
Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917)
Brought Western Eur. Culture to Russia
Took power from nobles – became absolute monarch
Westernization
Peter used W. Europe as a model for changereduced the power of boyars (nobles)European officers trained new military – tactics and weaponsimposed heavy taxes to pay for changesintroduced potatosstarted newspaper raised women's statusordered nobles to give traditional clothesnew capital: St. Petersburg - “window on the sea”
Elizabeth left no heir Stuart Dynasty English Civil War
•Cavaliers v. Roundheads•Charles I executed•Cromwell Rules - Puritan
Restoration – Charles II
England –Triumph of Parliament
Glorious Revolution
peaceful (bloodless) overthrow of James II by Parliamentreplaced by William and Mary (James' Protestant daughter) Bill of Rights – they must sign and share power with Parliamentno monarch could rule without consent of parliamentconstitutional monarchycabinet system develops – prime minister (continues today)