European Monarchs

Important Vocabulary

Absolute monarch A ruler whose power is not limited by having

to consult with nobles, peasants, etc. Divine right

The belief that monarchs receive their power from God and therefore cannot be challenged

Constitutional Monarch A monarch whose power is limited

Divine Right

The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God Himself they are called gods… Kings justly gods, for they exercise a… divine power upon earth… God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake at His pleasure, to give life or sent death to judge and to be judged nor accountable to none, to raise low things and to make high things low at His pleasure… And the like power of kings…

-King James IV/I of Britain, 1609

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor Wanted all of Europe to be

Catholic Peace of Augsburg

Said each German prince could decide if his state would be Catholic or Protestant

Gave up his throne in 1556

Phillip II

Spanish King Devout Catholic Rivalry with England

1588-Spanish Armada- called invincible, attacked England

England won Insisted on approving every

decision himself, trusted nobody

Phillip II used his royal status as an absolute monarch to increase his personal power, extend Spain’s power and influence around the world, and defend the Catholic Church.

Was named a Defender of the Faith by the Catholic Church.

Spanish Empire

Spanish decline

Wars overseas, which cost much of Spain’s accumulated wealth

Dependence on the treasure from the New World, causing Spain to neglect its farming and commerce

Heavy taxes on the middle class The expulsion of the Muslims and

Jews

France

1593 – Henry of Navarre becomes Henry IV “Paris is well worth a mass”

1598 – Edict of Nantes

Louis XIII

France Cardinal Richelieu was his

chief minister and advisor Suppressed nobles and

Huguenots (French Protestants)

Weak ruler

Louis XIV

King of France “I am the state”- ruled as

absolute monarch The Sun King Versailles 1685 - Revoked the

Edict of Nantes - Outlawed Protestants in France

War of Spanish Succession

Versailles

Versailles

Versailles

Versailles

England

In England, Kings and Parliament struggled for control for centuries. After much conflict, including a civil war, Parliament won.

Henry VIII

King of England Called Reformation

Parliament to declare England free of authority of the Pope

Established the Church of England

Had six wives

Mary I

English Queen Catholic, daughter of

Henry VIII Forced Catholicism

on England Persecuted

Protestants Died without an heir

Elizabeth I

Queen of England Returned England to

the Anglican Church Parliament pressured

her to marry, she refused

Reigned for 45 years- “Elizabethan Age”

Died without an heir

James I

First monarch of the Stuart dynasty

Wanted to be an absolute monarch, but was low on funds

King James Bible

Charles I

Wanted money from Parliament Signed Petition of Right

King could not levy taxes without Parliament’s approval

Challenged absolute monarchies Dismissed Parliament for a

decade 1642- English Civil War Sentenced to death for treason

and beheaded

Oliver Cromwell

Led “Roundheads,” or Parliament

Became Lord Protector of England

Clamped down once in power Dismissed Parliament Closed theaters, other

forms of entertainment

Charles II

Invited back by Parliament- Restoration

Reopened theaters, drama flourished

Habeas Corpus Act: someone accused of a crime has the right to appear in court

Plague, Great Fire of London

James II

Catholic Believed in his right to

rule as an absolute monarch

English would no longer tolerate such a belief

William and Mary

1688 - Glorious Revolution

English Bill of Rights Constitutional

Monarchy

Russia

Two Russian rulers, Peter and Catherine, attempted to modernize Russia, and gathered an enormous amount of power to their thrones.

Ivan the Terrible

In the beginning of his reign, he made many reforms- “good period”

Became suspicious (wife’s death)

Created a private police force Killed thousands of people,

including his own son Died without an heir

Peter the Great

Russia Known for his efforts to

modernize, “Westernize” Russia

Traveled Europe in disguise Brought church under state

control Promoted officials based on

service Supported education Founded St. Petersburg

Catherine the Great

Czarina Sought to continue

Peter’s practices Faced rebellion in

Russia, strengthened the authority of the monarchy

Austria

In central Europe, the Thirty Years’ War left Germany divided.

The Hapsburg family in Austria added territory but couldn’t maintain as strong an authority as other monarchs.

Thirty Years War

Thirty Years War -- between the Catholic Hapsburgs and Protestants in Prague.

Laid waste to much of central Europe. It was settled by the Peace of Westphalia. France won --got more territory Hapsburgs lost a lot. Germany was divided into more than 360

separate states.

Maria Theresa

Daughter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor

Fought war of Austrian Succession, lost

Prussia

Prussia emerged as a power in the 1600’s, led by the Hohenzollerns.

They created an efficient bureaucracy and strong military.

Frederick the Great

Prussia, seized Austrian lands

Tried to offer Maria Theresa an alliance, she refused

Fought War of Austrian Succession, won