King or Queen has complete control over government & its people The Age of Absolutism 16th & 17th Centuries System of government King or Queen has complete control over government & its people Autocracy Centralized Government Nation states

Monarchs based their claim on Divine Right Authority comes from God Absolutism Monarchs based their claim on Divine Right Authority comes from God Similar to “Mandate of Heaven” Monarchs are “Above the Law” Common features- Strong armies, limited representative bodies, high taxes, people-few rights

Breakdown of Feudalism/Rise of Nation states Continuous Warfare Absolutism Breakdown of Feudalism/Rise of Nation states Continuous Warfare Need for money Exploration Declining influence of the Church

Effects of Absolutism Regulation of religion & society Loss of power by nobility & legislatures New government Bureaucracies Huge building projects, palaces Costly wars; taxes Peasants bear burden Wars

1556 Holy Roman Emperor & King of Spain Charles V divides empire Absolutism in Spain The Hapsburg Monarchy 1556 Holy Roman Emperor & King of Spain Charles V divides empire Son Phillip II rules Spain, Netherlands & Italy

Philip II (1556-1598) Promoted “Golden age of Spain” Wealth from colonies helped buildup military; improved navy Incredible wealth– gold/silver Made Spain most powerful country in Europe Defender of Catholicism Europe’s most Catholic king 1588-Spanish Armada defeated by England (Elizabeth I) 1600’s Spain power declines Financial problems – high inflation

Phillip II “Golden Age” – Velasquez, El Greco Centralized government Married “Bloody Mary” Persecution & expulsion of Jews/Muslims hurt economy Built “El Escorial” palace Phillip II

Spanish Armada Defeated 1588 Spanish Armada Defeated "Protestant Wind"

The Bourbon Monarchy Absolutism in France Henry IV increases power of govt. & decreases power of nobility Edict of Nantes – gave religious freedom Louis the XIII strengthens & builds up military Cardinal Richelieu subdues nobles & Huguenots (French Protestants), strengthens economy

"The Ultimate Absolutist" Louis XIV "The Ultimate Absolutist" Known as “The Sun King” Ruled for 72 years Mercantilist policies; high tariffs Built the strongest army in Europe Expanded bureaucracy Limited power of nobles Never called the Estates General Persecuted the Huguenots French Protestants Revoked Edict of Nantes

The Sun King L’etat c’est moi”

Built Lavish palace at Versailles His successors inherited enormous debts (costly wars & extravagance)

Louis XIV Lost much land due to French & Indian War (7 Years War) GB defeats Fr. & Indians in American colonies Poor crops hurt the people Became king at age 4; Mazarin helped him rule; expanded France Expelled Huguenots; hurt economy Heavy debt from spending, extravagant lifestyle Colbert – Finance Minister supported sale of French products Supported arts and education

Absolutism in Russia Early Czars Ivan III & Ivan IV (Terrible) used harsh methods to unify Russia & strengthen monarchy 1480 Ivan III (Great) drives Mongols from Russia Moscow key city Autocratic govt. Trivia – married at 12

Ivan the Terrible First to use term czar (tsar) Good period – Russia expanded, code of law, ruled justly Bad period – executed many boyars – landowning nobles; used secret police Killed son in an argument Turmoil after death 1613 Michael Romanov begins Romanov Dynasty 300 year dynasty until Russian Revolution! (communism – 1917)

Ivan the Terrible kills his child & heir

Toured Europe learning new technologies Peter The Great 1682-1725 Grand Embassy tour Toured Europe learning new technologies Ruled with absolute authority Westernization/Modernization Introduced western ideas Laws, technology, culture Men shaved beards; dressed western

Built largest army in Europe Won territory from Sweden along the Baltic Sea St. Petersburg becomes “Window to the West” Major trading port & new capital

Centralized power Reduced power of the nobility Brought Orthodox Church under his control First newspaper Introduced potato Waterways, canals, mining, textiles

Peter the Great Education, arts, music, science Expanded Russia’s borders Improved status of women Appointed officials based on merit & service Peter the Great

Russia under Peter the Great

Peter the Great Excessive spending Peasants/Serfs required to work on roads/canals or serve in military; thousands died Heavy taxation Put Orthodox Church under state control

Peter the Great Could be cruel and tyrannical; executed thousands to challenged his power Died saving a man from drowning

Abolished torture and capital punishment Catherine the Great Most educated monarch Abolished torture and capital punishment Supported arts; first currency Education, trade, religious toleration

Didn’t enforce reforms (esp. torture/capital punishment Catherine the Great Negatives Negatives Didn’t enforce reforms (esp. torture/capital punishment Little to alleviate suffering Controlled Orthodox Church Intolerant of Muslims & Jews Crushed peasant rebellions harshly

Catherine the Great Longest ruling female leader of Russia (34 years) Leader of Russia during American Rev.

Early Checks on English Monarchs 1215 King John forced to sign Magna Carta Limited King’s powers 1295 Edward I establishes Parliament Lawmaking body House of Lords & House of Commons

Parliament Keeps the Monarchy in Check Parliament successfully blocked attempted shifts to absolute rule The Tudor Monarchs(1485-1603) generally worked well w/ Parliament Henry VIII & Elizabeth I                                            Henry VII 1485-1509 Henry VIII 1509-1547 Edward VI 1547-1553

Had absolutist tendencies (Strong belief in Divine Right); unpopular The Stuart Monarchs Had absolutist tendencies (Strong belief in Divine Right); unpopular Imprisoned w/out trial James I & son Charles I consistently clashed with Parliament over finance & foreign policy Angered Puritans Mary I 1553-1558 Elizabeth I 1558-1603 James I

Known as the Puritan Revolution (1643) The English Civil War Known as the Puritan Revolution (1643) Charles’s Cavaliers vs. Roundheads led by Oliver Cromwell (Puritan) Charles I is overthrown by forces loyal to Parliament Beheaded in 1649 Shocks country

Cromwell & the Commonwealth England became a Republic called the Commonwealth At first Cromwell & Parliament share power 1653 Cromwell assumes Title of Lord Protector & rules as a dictator, Puritan intolerance of Anglicanism; severe moral code; harsh Cromwell brutally put down revolts in Ireland & Scotland

Cromwell as Lord Protector

Restoration & The Glorious Revolution Upon Cromwell’s death, Parliament restores Stuart Monarchy to throne “Restoration” Charles makes some reforms; observes Magna Carta; Habeas Corpus Act James II became unpopular due to absolutist policies Parliament overthrows James II & asks William & Mary to assume throne (Glorious Revolution)

Bloodless Revolution 1688-William & Mary forced to sign English Bill of Rights is signed Guarantees Parliament’s superiority over the Monarchy England becomes a Limited Monarchy (Remains today)

English Bill of Rights King could not suspend laws King could not interfere with courts No taxes levied in peace time Freedom of speech Frequent sessions of Parliament Subjects had right of bail, petition, freedom from excessive fines, bail, cruel punishment Monarch must be Protestant Freedom from arbitrary arrest Freedom of religion Censorship of press not allowed