Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter 21 (P. 586-619)

Power & Authority As feudalism declined, stronger national kingdoms in Spain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia emerged under the control of ABSOLUTE RULERS.

Absolutism Absolute Monarchs- hold all the power within their state’s boundaries Control every aspect of society Divine Right- God created the monarchy & the monarch acted as God’s representative on Earth

Causes of Absolutism Religious & territorial conflicts = fear & uncertainty Conflicts -> Growth of Armies -> Increased Taxes Heavy Taxes -> Unrest -> Peasant Revolts

Effects of Absolutism Rulers regulated religious worship & social gatherings To control the spread of ideas Rulers increased the size of their courts To appear more powerful Rulers created bureaucracies To control their countries’ economies

Spain- Philip II Inherited Spain, the Spanish Netherlands, & the American colonies from his father, Charles V

Spain- Philip II Increased his empire Increased Spain’s wealth Wealth supported a large standing army Philip used to defend Catholicism

Golden Age of Spanish Art & Architecture 16th & 17th centuries Painters: El Greco & Velazquez Writer: Cervantes, Don Quixote

Spanish Empire Weakens Inflation & Taxes Cause 1: Population growth Cause 2: Value of silver drops

Spanish Empire Weakens Other economic issues: No middle class Nobles did not pay taxes Expulsion of Jews & Moors meant loss of artisans & business-people

Spanish Empire Weakens People bought goods from foreigners Why? Guilds made Spanish goods too expensive The Problem? Enriching Spain’s enemies

Spanish Empire Weakens Dutch Revolt Netherlands had a prosperous economy & a large Protestant population (Calvinists) Philip raised taxes & threatened Protestantism After 11 years of fighting, northern provinces declared independence

United Provinces of the Netherlands Different from other European states: Religious Toleration Republic

Dutch Trade Stable government = economic growth Dominate Trade Had the largest fleet in the world

France Religious wars spread chaos throughout France Catholics vs Huguenots (French Protestants)

Henry of Navarre First king of the Bourbon Dynasty in France Henry IV

Henry IV Converts to Catholicism Edict of Nantes- Declared that Huguenots could live in peace in France & set up their own houses of worship in some cities Rebuilds French prosperity

Louis XIII Son of Henry Weak King Appointed a strong minister…

Cardinal Richelieu Moved against Huguenots Weakened the nobles’ power Involved France in war to weaken neighboring rulers’ power

Skepticism Idea that nothing can ever be known for certain Expressed doubt toward churches that claimed to have the only correct set of doctrines Reaction to religious wars

Louis XIV Most powerful ruler in French history “L’etat, c’est moi” I am the state.

Louis XIV Cardinal Mazarin rules until Louis comes of age Ended war Increased taxes on nobles Strengthened central government

Louis XIV Kept power under central control Canceled the Edict of Nantes France lost many skilled workers

The Sun King Louis XIV led a luxurious life Palace at Versailles

War of the Spanish Succession Spanish throne passed to Louis XIV’s grandson The two largest European powers would be ruled by Bourbon kings Other countries felt threatened War- changed balance of power in Europe & New World

Thirty Years’ War Conflict over religion & territory & power among European ruling families Hapsburgs Bourbons

Peace of Westphalia Weakened the Hapsburg states of Spain & Austria Strengthened France (awarded German territory) Made German princes independent of the HRE Ended religious wars in Europe Introduced new way of peace negotiation

Beginning of Modern States The MOST IMPORTANT RESULT OF THE THIRTY YEARS WAR! Abandoned the idea of a Catholic empire ruling Europe Recognized Europe as a group of equal, independent states

Austria & Prussia Emerge

Russia- Ivan IV Ivan the Terrible First Russian ruler to use the term “Czar”

Ivan’s “Good Period” Added land to Russia Code of Law Won victories Ruled justly

Ivan’s “Bad Period” Occurs after death of wife Secret police, killings, taking property Kills his oldest son & heir

Time of Troubles Boyars (landowning nobles) struggle for power Heirs of czars die mysteriously Imposters try to claim throne

Romanovs Family of Ivan the Terrible’s wife Michael Romanov, her grandnephew, begins the Romanov Dynasty Lasts for 300 years

Russia’s Isolation Russia has been isolated from western Europe Middle Ages- looked to Constantinople for leadership Renaissance & Age of Exploration- ruled by Mongols Geographically isolated

Peter the Great Wants Russia to have a warm-water port Visits western Europe to learn about customs & manufacturing techniques

Westernization Peter’s goal for Russia Using western Europe as a model for change End goal: Stronger Russia

Reforms Brought Russian Orthodox Church under state control Reduced power of great landowners Modernized army Numbered 200,000 at his death

St. Petersburg Establishes St. Petersburg Won after war with Sweden Creating Russia’s warm-water port

England- King James I Elizabeth I had no heir James Stuart, her cousin, becomes King Already king of Scotland

King Charles I James’ son At war with Spain & France Problems with Parliament over money Popularity decreases

Charles’ Religion Problem Offended Puritans by upholding rituals of the Anglican Church Tried to force Presbyterian Scots to accept a version of the Anglican prayer book Scots rebelled Charles needs $

English Civil War Charles fled London Failed attempt to arrest Parliament leaders Mobs in London Royalists or Cavaliers- loyal to Charles Roundheads- Supporters of Parliament

Oliver Cromwell Leads Puritans (Roundheads) to victory

Execution of a King Charles is the FIRST monarch to face a public trail & execution

Cromwell’s Rule Abolished Monarchy & House of Lords Commonwealth- Republican form of government Became a military dictator

Restoration Charles II asked by Parliament to rule Restoring the English monarchy

Habeas Corpus “To have the body” Every prisoner has the right to be brought before a judge to specify charges & judge decides if prisoner is set free or faces trial Parliament passes under King Charles II

James II Charles II’s brother Catholic Whigs- opposed to James II Tories- supporters of James II

Glorious Revolution James had offended subjects by displaying Catholicism Has a son- fear of line of Catholic rulers His older daughter, Mary, is a protestant Married to William of Orange (Prince of Netherlands

Glorious Revolution William & Mary, at invitation of Parliament, lead an army to England to overthrow James II James fled to France Bloodless overthrow

Constitutional Monarchy Laws limited the ruler’s power Bill of Rights Cabinet- group of government ministers or officials Becomes the center of power & policymaking