French Absolutism Central and Eastern Europe

Reign of Henry IV Policy of religious toleration (Edict of Nantes, 1598) Centralization of power –Power away from local aristocracy –Refusal to call the Estates General Brought stability to France Brought stability to France Set foundations for absolutism (Richelieu) Set foundations for absolutism (Richelieu) Louis XIII and Richelieu Curtailed the power of the nobility Intendants used…eyes and ears of king!!! ‘Raison de’ etat’ … Machiavellian rule Appointed middle class people to government positions Ended Huguenot fortified towns and armies

Young Louis XIV and Chief Minister Mazarin (r ) Demands of the Nobles in the Fronde Revolt –Control of Parlements –Abolition of Intendants –No new taxes without consent Reasons for failure of the Fronde –too many acts of destruction –Split between the bourgeoisie and nobility

Absolutism of Louis XIV ‘Sun King’ (r ) Goals… Become the strongest country in Europe. Become the intellectual and political "light" to the rest of the world. L'etat, c'est moi! [I am the State!] Government: Firm and uniform administration (intendants) Centralize Government in Paris War became an activity of the state War became an activity of the state Built Versailles Never called the Estates-General.

Louis XIV Sun King Economic policies – –Jean Baptiste Colbert – finance minister – –costly, inefficient methods of tax collecting (nobility not taxed, just peasants) – –Mercantilism & Monopolies abroad (ex: French East India Company) – –Rebuilt infrastructure Religion – –Revoked the Edict of Nantes due to Jansenist. –‘One king, one faith, one law’ –‘One king, one faith, one law’ Convert or leave…big mistake!!!! – –Religious unity considered necessary to strengthen his rule.

Absolutism of Louis XIV War of Devolution ( ) & Dutch War ( ) –Desire of France to annex Spanish Netherlands –Coalition of several countries vs. France –Results in France obtaining Franche-Comte area & other areas in SP. Netherlands Nine Years War ( ) –Fr vs League of Augsburg….obtained Alsace area from HRE France fighting in America as well

Absolutism of Louis XIV War of the Spanish Succession ( ) –Charles II, last Hapsburg ruler of Spain, dies Both Louis XIV and HRE Leopold claimed to be next in line to Spanish throne. Decided to split SP Empire. Designation of Louis XIV’s grandson as King of Spain and all its possessions in Charles II’s will. War starts between France and most of Europe. Treaty of Utrecht ( ) Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip V, becomes king of Spain Permanent separation of Spanish and French thrones Austria gets Spanish Netherlands and Italy Gibraltar, Nova Scotia and Asiento given to England

Louis XIV Reign POSITIVES France became powerful Centralized government Improved militarily France became a commercial rival of Britain. Tamed the Fr. aristocracy He made the King and the State one and the same.NEGATIVES Taxed the peasants, not nobility Too extravagant (great debt). The court at Versailles was too removed from the lives and problems of the common people. Due to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, millions of skilled people leave France

Central Europe Poland – –Very Weak government w/ little organization – –Elected king with limited power – –Will be ravaged by enemies Ottoman Empire – –Backwards compared to Western Europe – –Tried to invade Vienna, but Multinational Holy League (1683) stopped them. Never tried again – –Problems: Sultans were corrupt, armies lacked tech. & local rule made it hard to control empireAustria – –Charles VI negotiated with his family, nobles and other European leaders the Pragmatic Sanction to allow daughter, Maria Theresa, to reign

Prussia Hohenzollern family ruled – –Frederick William ‘Great Elector’ – –Frederick I ‘First King of Prussia’ – –Frederick William I ‘Soldier King’ – –Junkers Small country with little resources & population, but powerful!!!!!!!!!! PRUSSIA IS AN ARMY WITH A STATE!

Russia Very backwards, compared to Western Europe streltsy Ivan III & IV drove out Mongols with help of streltsy Had harsh rule for serfdom Orthodox church opposed social and religious change

Peter the Great Wanted to westernize Russia Toured western Europe after becoming tsar, but returned due to streltsy and boyars were rebelling Loved technology, science, and industry Created schools, hospitals, the Academy of Science and first navy and modern army Was ruthless and brutal Created poll or soul tax to pay for reforms Outlawed beards and ‘typical’ Russian clothing

Peter the Great Table of Ranks Table of Ranks can raise social status if contribute to state Great Northern War Great Northern War –defeated Swedes to control Baltic Sea Treaty of Nystadt Treaty of Nystadt – gained land on the Baltic to build St. Petersburg Reforms helped upper class mainly. Russia became a world power, but still behind western Europe.