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

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

Regulation of Religion & society Effects of Absolutism Regulation of Religion & society Loss of power by nobility & legislatures New government Bureaucracies Huge building projects

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

Promoted “Golden age of Spain” Philip II (1556-1598) Promoted “Golden age of Spain” Wealth from colonies helped buildup military “Great Defender” of Catholicism 1588-Spanish Armada defeated by England (Elizabeth I) 1600’s Spain power declines Financial problems

Spanish Armada Defeated 1588 Spanish Armada Defeated "Protestant Wind"

Henry IV increases power of Govt. & decreases power of nobility Absolutism in France The Bourbon Monarchy Henry IV increases power of Govt. & decreases power of nobility Louis the XIII strengthens & builds up military Cardinal Richelieu subdues nobles & Huguenots

"The Ultimate Absolutist" Louis XIV "The Ultimate Absolutist" Known as “The Sun King” Ruled for 72 years Mercantilist policies Built the strongest army in Europe Expanded bureaucracy Never called the Estates General Persecuted the Huguenots French Protestants

The Sun King

Built Lavish palace @ Versailles “Gilded Cage” for nobility His successors inherited enormous debts (costly Wars & extravagance)

1480 Russian rulers drive Mongols out Absolutism in Russia 1480 Russian rulers drive Mongols out Early Czars Ivan III & Ivan IV (Terrible) used harsh methods to unify Russia & strengthen Monarchy 1613 Michael Romanov begins Romanov Dynasty

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 Westernization/Modernization Introduced western ideas Laws, technology, culture

Built largest army in Europe Won territory 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

Russia under Peter the Great

Early Checks on English Monarchs 1215 King John forced to sign Magna Carta Limited King’s powers 1295 Edward I establishes Model 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 Ex. Henry VIII & Elizabeth I                                            Henry VII 1485-1509 Henry VIII 1509-1547 Edward VI 1547-1553

Had absolutist tendencies (Strong belief in Divine Right) The Stuart Monarchs Had absolutist tendencies (Strong belief in Divine Right) 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 Charles I is overthrown by forces loyal to Parliament beheaded in 1649

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 Cromwell brutally put down revolts in Ireland & Scotland (Genocide)

Cromwell as Lord Protector

Restoration & The Glorious Revolution Upon Cromwell’s death, Parliament restores Stuart Monarchy to throne Charles II & James II became unpopular due to absolutist policies Parliament fears return of Catholicism(James II) Parliament overthrows James II & asks William & Mary to assume throne (Glorious 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)