Absolutism in Eastern Europe Chapter 17

Absolutism in Eastern Europe Overview Absolute monarchies were the rule in Eastern European countries like Austria, Prussia, and Russia. –Constitutionalism was virtually nonexistent. Why? –Eastern Europe: powerful nobility, weak middle class, and serfdom. –Western Europe: strong middle class, general freedom from serfdom.

Absolutism in Eastern Europe Populations declined: Black Death European landlords moved in different political directions. –West: lords unsuccessful in achieving legislative restrictions on peasant movement. –East: lords were successful in 1. Achieving laws that restricted peasants’ right of free movement. 2. Taking more and more peasant lands and imposing heavier and heavier labor obligations. 3. Blocking the establishment of independent judiciaries or common law systems.

Rise of Austria and Prussia Background Power vacuum in Central Europe. –Ottoman Empire peaked in 1529 and then began a gradual decline. –Holy Roman Empire weakened by the Thirty Years’ War.

Rise of Austria and Prussia Austria 1700s, Hapsburg emperor, Charles VI, ruled Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. 1713, Charles and the Pragmatic Sanction: –Statement that Habsburg possessions were never to be divided, were always to be passed to a single heir. One little problem. –No male heir.

Rise of Prussia and Austria The Pragmatic Sanction Charles convinced other heads of state to agree to recognize his oldest daughter, Maria Theresa, as his heir. Charles ruled until 1740, when Maria Theresa succeeded him. MORE TO COME.

Rise of Prussia and Austria Prussia 1415, Hohenzollern family began rule as electors of Brandenburg in northern Germany. Gradually increased holdings (30 Years’ War). Late 17th century, lands were second in size only to those of the Hapsburgs. Now confronted the task of bringing their lands together to form a single unified state.

Rise of Prussia and Austria Frederick William, the Great Elector (r ) Hohenzollern prince, Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, gained scattered German lands through the Treaty of Westphalia. But Hohenzollern domains had been devastated by the war.

Rise of Prussia and Austria Frederick William (cont’d.) Began the process of consolidation by: Reducing the autonomy of the Junkers (nobility) and the estates (noble assemblies). Establishing the civil service and army as cornerstones of state power and recruiting Junkers to serve. Practicing religious toleration.

Rise of Prussia and Austria Frederick I (r ) A patron of the arts. One major achievement in the development of Hohenzollern power: –During War of Spanish Succession, gained the right to the title “King” in Prussia. –Self-crowned. Passed the royal title on to his son.

Rise of Prussia and Austria Frederick William I (r ) “Sergeant King” Doubled the size of the Prussian army (80k in 1740)--3rd largest in Europe. A militarist, but didn’t seek war. Army a sign of power, not a tool of aggression.

Development of Russia Background Geography: Russia covers 6000 miles east to west. Russia covers 3000 miles north to south. Russia encompasses 11 time zones.

Development of Russia Climate described as “continental.” Meaning? Extremes of hot and cold. Northern Siberia reaches -90F. Central Asian desert regions reach +120F. Why? No water bodies to absorb/temper the climate. No mountains to block arctic winds.

Development of Russia Ivan IV (the “Terrible”) (r ) First to take title “Tsar of Russia” Father died when Ivan was 3. Mother ran around. Aristocrats (boyars) fought to control him. Seized power at 16.

Development of Russia 1st half of reign = the “good” half: Amassed considerable strength and power. Fought the Livonian War vs Sweden, Denmark, and Lithuania to expand Russian trade in the Baltic (Estonia & Latvia). Streamlined the tax collection system. Unified the law code. Regularized military service.

Development of Russia 2nd half of reign = the “bad” half: Believed the boyars had poisoned his wife. Established the oprichnina (secret police). Presided over the “reign of terror,” rooting out treason and executing many of the nobility.

Development of Russia Rise of the Romanovs Ivan murdered his oldest son. Upon Ivan’s death, his younger son, Theodore, who was weak and ineffective, ruled until his death. He died without an heir. The Time of Troubles –In the vacuum, boyars fought for power, possible claimants to the throne died mysteriously, and imposters laid claim to rule.

Development of Russia 1613, a Russian representative council met to appoint a new czar. Selected Michael Romanov, the deceased Anastasia’s and Ivan’s grandnephew. Romanov dynasty ruled Russia until the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Development of Russia Peter I (the Great) ( ) 1st Emperor of Russia Large in physical stature, animal energy, and determination. Energetic and cruel. Inspired both adulation and fierce opposition.

Development of Russia A moral monster, personally involved in gross and sadistic tortures. –Watched his son and heir Alexis racked to death. (Threatened to end Peter’s reforms). Built St. Petersburg on the backs of conscripted peasant labor. Systematically modernized and westernized Russia. Goal was to create an army and a state that could rival the west. Accomplishments: –1. Built the army and the navy, using foreign officers and establishing conscription. Introduced the “poll” tax to fund his war efforts.

Development of Russia 2. Built St. Petersburg, Russia’s Baltic “window on the West”. Why so important? –Warm water port. 3. Secularized the administration of the church. –Brought the church under his direct authority, by establishing the Holy Synod, a council of bishops responsible to a government official.

Development of Russia General assessment of Peter I: 1. Most reforms were military. –Goal was to create an army that could stand against those in the west. 2. Most basic social institutions remained intact. –Serfdom. Unique: both agricultural and industrial serfs. Movable. Sellable.

Development of Russia 3. Created a great rift between the elite and the peasants. –Compulsory education for the elite. –Deeper tax burdens on the peasants. Novel taxes. Like? –Marriage tax, leather tax, hat tax, meat sales tax, and the most novel... –The beard tax! A big revenue producer. Why? 4. Government became even more autocratic. –Large central bureaucracy with allegiance to the tsar. –Local government placed completely under the tsar’s control.