Chapter Five Absolute Monarchs in Europe (1500 – 1800)

Chapters in Brief – Overview 1500 - 1800 Spain lost territory over money The Netherlands split from Spain and grew rich from trade For a time, France was Europe’s most powerful country, where King Louis XIV ruled with total control Austria’s queen resisted a Prussian land grab Peter the Great modernized Russia England’s Parliament struggled with different kings and became the greatest power in the country

Chapters in Brief – Questions Why did Spain weaken in power? How did Richelieu and Louis XIV increase the power of the French King? How did the Thirty Years’ War affect Germany? What did Peter the Great do to modernize Russia? How did England develop away from an absolute monarchy?

Chapters in Brief – Answers Why did Spain weaken in power? > it lost the effort to invade England because it lost the Spanish Netherlands > the economy - the constant rising of prices - overtaxing of the poor - loss of silver to other nations How did Richelieu and Louis XIV increase the power of the French King? > broke the power of the nobles > reduced the power of the French Protestants > hired people from the middle-class – not nobles – for government; then kept in close communication with those officials

Chapters in Brief – Answers How did the Thirty Years’ War affect Germany? > devastated Germany > killing about 4 million people > weakening the economy > would take 200 years to recover What did Peter the Great do to modernize Russia? > increase the power of the czar by gaining control over the Russian Orthodox Church > cutting power of the nobles > built up an army; trained it better > brought potatoes as new food > began first newspaper > gave more social status to women > told the nobles to adopt Western clothing > promoted education

Chapters in Brief – Answers How did England develop away from an absolute monarchy? > Petition of Right of 1628 put some limits on the rulers power > with the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I, Parliament showed that it had more power than did the king > it was established by the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and by the Bill of Rights

Absolutism in Europe

Absolutism Objective Summarize the development of absolute and constitutional monarchies in Europe from 1500 to 1800

First things first… What is an Absolute Monarchy? Absolute = All Powerful Monarch = King or Queen Absolute Monarch = an all-powerful king or queen also, kings and queens handed their power down to their children it was a line of succession that stayed in the family

It’s GREAT to be the King! Absolute Monarchs It’s GREAT to be the King! “I am the state” Characteristics made all the laws NOT subject to the laws

Absolute Monarchs they ruled by “divine right” Divine Right: right to rule directly from GOD accountable only to GOD NOT accountable to the people! Absolute Ruler Requirements have complete control successful foreign policy protect and expand the state

Monarchs used their wealth to build LARGE, PERMANENT ARMIES! no more need to depend on feudal contracts with their vassals these armies were loyal to the King, NOT to the country!

They used these armies to wage war against each other - of course! NOW WHAT??? They used these armies to wage war against each other - of course!

Crisis Leads to Absolutism the 17th century was a period of great upheaval in Europe religious and territorial conflicts between states led to almost continuous warfare governments built huge armies and levied higher taxes on the already suffering population in response to these crises, monarchs tried to impose order by increasing their own power Hence……Absolutism begins throughout Europe

Chapter Five – Section One Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism Trying out Absolutism

Chapters in Brief Charles V ruled the Holy Roman Empire and various other European countries. In 1556, he retired from the throne and split his holdings. His brother, Ferdinand, received Austria and the Holy Roman Empire. His son, Phillip II, got Spain and its colonies. Philip expanded his holdings by taking Portugal and gaining its global territories. When he tried to invade England in 1588, though, he failed. The defeat made Spain weaker. However, Spain still seemed strong because of its wealth – gold and silver – that flowed in from the colonies in America. This wealth led to some serious problems, however. The prices of goods constantly rose. Also, unfair taxes hit the poor, keeping them from building up any wealth of their own. As prices rose, Spaniards bought more goods from other lands. The silver from the colonies, then began to flow to Spain’s enemies.

A Powerful Spanish Empire Charles V Philip II (Son) Ferdinand (Brother) Inherits Spain Takes Germany and Austria Spanish Netherlands and American Colonies

Philip II shy, serious, suspicious, untrustworthy, and extremely religious (Catholic) King of Portugal dies – no heir Philip takes it over (it was his uncle) works to expand the Empire does not allow anyone to help him makes vast sums of money in gold and silver

** Elizabeth I – of England – defeated Phillip II and Philip II called on to fight the Ottomans (by the Pope) Battle takes place near Lepanto Spain is victorious 1588—Spanish Armada to stop the reformation sails to the English Channel defeated by Elizabeth I still appears powerful due to wealth ** Elizabeth I – of England – defeated Phillip II and his Spanish Armada **

The Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature Spain’s great wealth did more than build palaces it allowed monarchs and nobles to become patrons of artists during the 16th and 17th centuries, two great painters show both the faith and pride of Spain during this time period

The Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature Diego Velázquez—Painter glorified the monarchy via art court painter for Philip IV best known for painting the court family scenes

The Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature Las Menias “The Maids of Honor” King Philip IV’s daughter and her attendants

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature El Greco – Painter art puzzled the people of his time chose brilliant, clashing colors, distorted the human figure, and expressed emotion symbolically

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature Miguel de Cervantes (suhr VAN teez) – Writer Don Quixote – book called the birth of the modern European novel about a poor Spanish nobleman who went a little crazy after reading too many books about heroic knights

The Spanish Empire Weakens Reasons for Weakening: 1. Inflation value of gold drops value of goods rises population growth—more demand, high price flooding of gold and silver 2. Taxes nobles didn’t pay tax lower class generated taxes less money to create business no middle class develops

The Spanish Empire Weakens Reasons for Weakening (continued) 3. Guilds control price prices up or prices down? 4. France, England and Netherlands have cheaper goods money goes to Spain’s enemies hurts the Spanish economy 5. Philip declares Spain bankrupt 3 times

The Dutch Revolt in the Spanish Netherlands, Philip had to maintain an army to keep his subjects under control Dutch had little in common with their Spanish rulers Spain Catholic sluggish economy Netherlands Calvinists prosperous middle class Philip raised taxes and try to crush Protestantism Dutch and Spanish fought for 11 years 1579 = northern province of the Netherlands declared their independence from Spain = became the United Provinces of the Netherlands

The Independent Dutch Prosper United Province of the Netherlands was different practiced religious tolerance not a kingdom but a republic; each province had an elected governor During the 1600s, the Netherlands became what Florence had been during the 1400s best banks best artists in Europe wealthy merchants sponsored many of these artists

The Independent Dutch Prosper Rembrandt van Rijn (*RYN) – Artist greatest artist of the period painted portraits of wealthy middle-class merchants used sharp contrasts of light and shadow to draw attention to his focus

The Night Watch showed the individuality of each man by capturing distinctive facial expressions and postures

Essential Question Explain why absolute monarchs believed they were justified in exercising absolute power. Answer the question in three complete sentences in your summary section.

Absolutism Objective Summarize the development of absolute and constitutional monarchies in Europe from 1500 to 1800