Absolutely Absolute

What is absolutism? Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger Monarchs ruled with absolute powerMonarchs ruled with absolute power Divine Right Theory Divine Right Theory Idea that God had chosen the monarch to ruleIdea that God had chosen the monarch to rule Everyone believes the theory during this period Everyone believes the theory during this period If you question the king, you question God If you question the king, you question God

Strengths of Absolute Monarchies Efficiency Efficiency Decisions are made by one personDecisions are made by one person Nationalism Nationalism Promoted a common culture and identityPromoted a common culture and identity Stability Stability The ruler stays in power until deathThe ruler stays in power until death Wealth Wealth No resistance means a large and powerful empireNo resistance means a large and powerful empire

Weaknesses of Absolute Monarchies Undemocratic Undemocratic No collaboration of ideasNo collaboration of ideas Individual rights Individual rights Often violatedOften violated Stability Stability If the ruler was poor, it could affect the country for decadesIf the ruler was poor, it could affect the country for decades

How to achieve more power? Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways: Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways: Raising taxesRaising taxes Increased their overall wealth Increased their overall wealth Waging warWaging war Victory often led to riches Victory often led to riches PLUS…. many citizens were very willing to trust their leader. PLUS…. many citizens were very willing to trust their leader.

Central Monarchs Clash The Thirty Years’ War ( ) The Thirty Years’ War ( ) Fought between Protestants and Catholics (Hapsburgs) in the Holy Roman Empire over religious and territorial differences.Fought between Protestants and Catholics (Hapsburgs) in the Holy Roman Empire over religious and territorial differences. First 12 years, Catholics are successfulFirst 12 years, Catholics are successful Next 18 years, Protestants eventually gain the advantageNext 18 years, Protestants eventually gain the advantage Peace of Westphalia-Ends the ThirtyPeace of Westphalia-Ends the Thirty Years’ War Years’ War Helped to shape formation of future nationsHelped to shape formation of future nations

States Form in Central Europe Economic Contrasts with the West Economic Contrasts with the West Serfdom still strong in eastern EuropeSerfdom still strong in eastern Europe Weak Empires Weak Empires Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire The rise of Austria and Prussia The rise of Austria and Prussia Due to the end of the Holy Roman EmpireDue to the end of the Holy Roman Empire

States Form in Eastern Europe (cont) Austria Grows Stronger Austria Grows Stronger Gains Hungary and BohemiaGains Hungary and Bohemia Wiped out ProtestantismWiped out Protestantism Maria Theresa (Hapsburg) Inherits the Throne Maria Theresa (Hapsburg) Inherits the Throne Fought constantly with PrussiaFought constantly with Prussia Limited the labor that nobles could force peasants to doLimited the labor that nobles could force peasants to do

Prussia Challenges Austria The Rise of Prussia The Rise of Prussia Became a rigidly controlled, highly militarized societyBecame a rigidly controlled, highly militarized society Controlled by the King and landowning noblesControlled by the King and landowning nobles Frederick the Great Frederick the Great HohenzollernHohenzollern Very practical leaderVery practical leader Atheist- established religious tolerationAtheist- established religious toleration Very aggressive in foreign affairsVery aggressive in foreign affairs

Prussia Challenges Austria (cont) War of Austrian Succession War of Austrian Succession War between Prussia and Austria (1740)War between Prussia and Austria (1740) France helped Prussia, England and AustriaFrance helped Prussia, England and Austria Prussia wins in 1748, becoming a major European powerPrussia wins in 1748, becoming a major European power The Seven Years’ War The Seven Years’ War Austria, France, Russia vs. Prussia and Britain Austria, France, Russia vs. Prussia and Britain 1756 – Frederick attacked an Austrian 1756 – Frederick attacked an Austrian ally, beginning the war ally, beginning the war War did not change European territory War did not change European territory France lost all colonies in North America andFrance lost all colonies in North America and India to Britain

Russian History Russia Contrasts with Europe Russia Contrasts with Europe EconomicallyEconomically Still heavily reliant on serfdom Still heavily reliant on serfdom SociallySocially Mongols kept Russia isolated from Renaissance and Age of Exploration Mongols kept Russia isolated from Renaissance and Age of Exploration GeographicallyGeographically Ports froze during winter Ports froze during winter Size of Russia was a problem Size of Russia was a problem Religious differencesReligious differences Europe: Catholic or Protestant Europe: Catholic or Protestant Russia: Orthodox Russia: Orthodox

The Absolute Rulers of Russia The First Czar The First Czar Ivan IV (“The Terrible”)Ivan IV (“The Terrible”) became czar (caesar) in 1533 became czar (caesar) in 1533 Took control over the nobles Took control over the nobles Rule by TerrorRule by Terror Police force organized to track down and murder “traitors” to Ivan Police force organized to track down and murder “traitors” to Ivan Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the land to new, more loyal nobles Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the land to new, more loyal nobles

The Absolute Rulers of Russia (cont) Rise of the Romanovs Rise of the Romanovs After Ivan IV’s death (1584), the “Time of Troubles” occurred – nobles struggling for powerAfter Ivan IV’s death (1584), the “Time of Troubles” occurred – nobles struggling for power 1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as the next czar1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as the next czar Romanov Dynasty Romanov Dynasty

For you know yourself that, though a thing be good and necessary, our people will not do it unless forced to” For you know yourself that, though a thing be good and necessary, our people will not do it unless forced to”

Peter The Great Peter’s Reforms Peter’s Reforms Russian Orthodox Church under state controlRussian Orthodox Church under state control Reduced the power of landownersReduced the power of landowners Hired European military officersHired European military officers Westernizing Russia Westernizing Russia Peter visits the West Wanted to learn about EuropeanWanted to learn about European customs and manufacturing techniques customs and manufacturing techniques Introduced potatoesIntroduced potatoes Women’s status increasedWomen’s status increased Nobles had to give up traditional dressNobles had to give up traditional dress Advanced educationAdvanced education

Peter Rules Absolutely Establishing St. Petersburg Establishing St. Petersburg Wanted to establish a seaportWanted to establish a seaport Make it easier to get to Europe Make it easier to get to Europe Warm water port – would not freeze in winter Warm water port – would not freeze in winter Built on a swampBuilt on a swamp K people died to build the city25-100K people died to build the city Became a very important port cityBecame a very important port city

St. Petersburg

English Civil War War Topples a King War Topples a King Parliament tried to limit the powers of King Charles I – starts a war insteadParliament tried to limit the powers of King Charles I – starts a war instead English Civil War ( )English Civil War ( ) Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. RoundheadsRoyalists (Cavaliers) vs. Roundheads Puritan Roundheads wonPuritan Roundheads won Tried, convicted and executed Charles I Tried, convicted and executed Charles I Never had a monarch been tried and executedNever had a monarch been tried and executed

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell’s Rule Oliver Cromwell’s Rule General during the war who now led the countryGeneral during the war who now led the country Established a republican governmentEstablished a republican government Had to squash a rebellion in IrelandHad to squash a rebellion in Ireland Puritan Morality Puritan Morality Ruled with an iron fist.Ruled with an iron fist. Sought to reform societySought to reform society Abolish sinful activities – sports, theaterAbolish sinful activities – sports, theater Religious toleration for all except CatholicsReligious toleration for all except Catholics Cromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsedCromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsed

Restoration and Revolution Charles II Reigns Charles II Reigns Restored the Monarchy of EnglandRestored the Monarchy of England Reformed the legal systemReformed the legal system Habeas Corpus- must have a reason to have a person arrested.Habeas Corpus- must have a reason to have a person arrested. James II and the Glorious Revolution James II and the Glorious Revolution King James offended many b/c of his CatholicismKing James offended many b/c of his Catholicism Parliament worried of a Catholic line of KingsParliament worried of a Catholic line of Kings James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William were asked by Parliament to overthrow JamesJames’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William were asked by Parliament to overthrow James William invaded, and James fled – Bloodless Revolution known as the Glorious RevolutionWilliam invaded, and James fled – Bloodless Revolution known as the Glorious Revolution

Limits on Monarch’s Power Bill of Rights Bill of Rights William and Mary established a constitutional monarchyWilliam and Mary established a constitutional monarchy Limits on royal power increasedLimits on royal power increased Establishment of the English Bill of RightsEstablishment of the English Bill of Rights Cabinet System Develops Cabinet System Develops Became the link between the King and Parliament - advisors to the KingBecame the link between the King and Parliament - advisors to the King Leader of the majority party heads the cabinet – Prime MinisterLeader of the majority party heads the cabinet – Prime Minister

English Bill of Rights Ruler cannot: Ruler cannot: Suspend Parliament’s lawsSuspend Parliament’s laws Levy taxes without permissionLevy taxes without permission Interfere with freedom of speechInterfere with freedom of speech Penalize a citizen who criticizes the KingPenalize a citizen who criticizes the King