The Age of Absolutism 1

What is absolutism? Complete control of government and people’s lives by a monarch Monarchs claimed divine right-power came directly from God. 2

Why was it necessary? As empires grew, due to overseas travel, more centralized power was needed to control the people and resources. 3

SPAIN 4

Who were the key monarchs? Queen Isabella and Ferdinand: –expelled Muslims and expanded empire 5

Who were the key monarchs? Charles V: –grandson and heir to Austrian throne –had to control Spain, colonies, Holy Roman Empire, and Netherlands –Was very devout and hard working –Empire was too hard to control so he quit and joined the Church

Who were the key monarchs? Phillip II: –Controlled Spain, Netherlands, Southern Italy, and overseas colonies –Made Spain powerful because of silver from the Americas -Also devout and hardworking -Fought other monarchs for absolute control

France

Who were the key monarchs? Henry IV 1589 and was Huguenot Converted to Catholicism, enacted Edict of Nantes in 1598 to grant religious toleration Built up the royal power to help people

Who were the key monarchs? Henry IV dies in 1610, 9 year old son Louis XIII takes over 1624 Cardinal Armand Richelieu is made chief minister Took over everything for nation

Louis XIV? Louis XIV: Came to power in 1643 at age 5 Saw rioting and when his chief minister Mazarin dies, he vows to control the government and people Claimed divine right and used Sun as his symbol

Successes: –Increased Wealth Middle class bureaucracy Army was state paid, fed, and trained Chief financial adviser Jean Baptise Colbert increased farming, built up lace making, encouraged overseas colonies, and placed high tariffs on imported goods –Versailles Palace

Successes: - Versailles Palace Spared no expense Displayed finest art, chandeliers, and mirror Large royal garden with fountains Became a symbol of wealth and power Kept nobles at palace to watch them and did not collect their taxes

Failures: –Wars=expensive –Expelled Huguenots

ENGLAND

Who were the key monarchs? Henry VIII of England

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII Older bro Arthur 15 and married to Catherine of Aragon Marriage connected Spain & England Had to marry brother’s widow. Claims 1 st marriage was not consummated 1509 Henry VII dies and crowned king and queen

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) 1527 wants to divorce wife because she births a daughter- Mary Tudor Wanted Anne Boleyn and 1 st marriage annulled. Pope denied it, did not want to offend Holy Roman Emperor - Catherine’s nephew.

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Persuaded by Anne to take over Church by passing laws through Parliament 1534 Act of Supremacy establishing him the head of the Church of England Appointed his own archbishop who annulled his marriage. Was later excommunicated by the Church

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Married Anne Boleyn but has a daughter- Elizabeth Tudor claims she cheated, was a witch, and slept with her brother Church finds her guilty and executes her by beheading

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Likes Jane Seymour Marries her 10 days after Anne’s execution Gave birth to a boy- Edward VI. Sadly, she dies in childbirth. Henry called her his true wife and when he died was buried next to her.

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Next, Anne of Cleves Marriage was to create a Protestant union with the German princes Found her “utterly unattractive” and divorced her 6 months later

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Next, Catherine Howard (Anne Boleyn’s cousin) Had an affair with a courtier and was found guilty Had her executed soon after

Who were the key figures? Henry VIII (cont.) Next, Catherine Parr who outlives him Henry VIII dies in 1547 at 55 from complications with obesity and Type II diabetes

Who were the key figures? Edward VI was crowned king at age 10 Not very good Dies at 15 Step sister Mary Tudor is brought back by Parliament even though Henry VIII did not recognize Elizabeth of Mary as his children

Who were the key figures? Mary Tudor restores Catholic faith and persecutes Protestants by burning them at the stake. Many Protestants will leave England for the new world.

Who were the key figures? Elizabeth Tudor Mary dies in 1558, she takes over and restores Catholic hierarchy and rituals. maintains monarchy and heads Anglican Church Helped the country balance Catholicism and Protestantism.

Who were the key figures? The Stuarts of Scotland Ruling family did not deal well with Parliament because they wanted absolute power James I Dissolved Parliament because they did not give him any money Wanted absolute power

Who were the key figures? Charles I Imprisoned enemies Needed money so reinstated Parliament English Civil War ensued –Roundheads: Parliament supporters –Cavaliers: Charles I supporters –Roundheads win, monarchy becomes limited

Lasting Legacy of Absolutism? -Enlightenment: -People start to question absolute power -People start to think about the natural state of being and the world around them -Age of Revolutions: -People start to rebel as they learn more -Question the knowledge and power of absolute monarchs