The Age of Absolutism Renaissance Begins Reformation Begins 1550 1420 Philip II Louis XIV Peter the Great Frederick the Great Queen Elizabeth Renaissance Begins Reformation Begins 1550 1420 Age of Exploration Begins Absolutists begin To reign 1350 1517

Europe during a period of crisis: RELIGION: Religions were becoming highly militant, especially the Calvinists & the Catholics. FRANCE: Wars on religion (1562-1598) Persecuting Protestants Huguenots = French Calvinists [Protestants] The King, Henry of Navarre is a PROTESTANT! King Henry of Navarre

1572 – St. Bartholomeu’s Day Massacre Slaughtering of the Huguenots, while Huguenot Henry of Navarre marries French princess Catherine

King Henry Navarre’s Solution He Changes to Catholicism in order to keep the people happy “France is worth a mass” He then declares the EDICT OF NANTES: Catholicism is the official religion of France, but Huguenots could worship In the end he is stabbed to death over religion Henry has 3 sons who will rule poorly

Europe during a period of crisis: ECONOMIC & SOCIAL: INFLATION – influx in gold and silver coming in from the Americas. WITCHCRAFT – because of the Inquisition there was an increased worry of witches. THIRTY YEARS WAR – Dispute in Germany over the Peace of Augsburg (1555).

Thirty Years War In short: all European powers ended up being involved, and it destroyed the Holy Roman Empire PEACE OF WESTPHALIA: German states could determine their own religion

~ Western Civilization, Margaret L. King, 2000 “It is God who establishes kings. They thus act as ministers of God and His lieutenants on earth. It is through them that he rules. This is why we have seen that the royal throne is not the throne of a man but a throne of God himself.” ~ Western Civilization, Margaret L. King, 2000

How to solve this continual crisis? SOLUTION  ABSOLUTISM What is it? System in which ruler holds total power Idea of divine right of kings- God gives rulers the power to rule, so they can’t be wrong Needed someone strong enough to solve all of these problems of crisis in Europe: CENTRALIZATION

Philip II of Spain Dealt with the religious crisis Known as: the most CATHOLIC king. First goal: consolidate all lands given to him, and to do this he enforced strict Catholicism: Spain Netherlands Possessions in Italy Possessions in the Americas When Philip died he had the most populous empire in the world, and he was the most bankrupt.

Elizabeth of England Becomes leading Protestant nation New Act of Supremacy: naming her “only supreme governor” Feared Spain and France allying so she sends out Sir Francis Drake Philip II thinks of invading England: Extend Catholicism The famous Spanish Armada is defeated

France and Absolutism- Henry’s Sons Louis the 13th Louis the BAD Ruler Louis XIII- Louis was actually a very weak king He needed Cardinal Richelieu help to rule Believed in Absolute Rule

Cardinal Richelieu Before Louis comes to the throne, Richelieu: Revokes Edict of Nantes Sets up spies against the nobles to weaken their Gov’t power He believes in Gov’t by the middle class, intendants

Louis XIV of France Best example of an absolute monarch – Sun King. “L’état c’est moi” His court was the best example of culture in the world. His court was imitated throughout Europe. Builds Palace- Versailles

Louis XIV

Threats to Louis XIV’s Life! The Nobles Attack!! During religious war (30 yrs war) Louis was in the street A noble threatened Louis’s life and scratched his face with a sword Louis NEVER FORGOT THIS and hated the nobles because of it

Cardinal Mazarin Louis XIV came to the throne at age 4 and was thus Mazarin was his “kingmaker” As a ruler Raised taxes Ended 30 yrs war Strengthened Gov’t

LET’S TAKE A TOUR. . . .SHALL WE. . . . Palace at Versailles Louis XIV built this grand palace for himself with his people’s taxes. It cost and estimated $2.5 billion in 2003 dollars. This palace is the embodiment of his absolute power. It took 36,000 workers and 6,000 horses Served 3 purposes: Personal household of the king Chief offices of state were here Power subjects came to find favors LET’S TAKE A TOUR. . . .SHALL WE. . . . FIELD TRIP!!!!

Hall of Mirrors: Considered the most beautiful room 17 tall mirrors on one side Windows open to the garden Statues, chandeliers, and painted ceiling

Gardens at Versailles: Still kept fully intact today Originally built with: 5,000 acres of gardens, lawns, and woods 1,400 fountains

Fountains at Versailles: Fountains at Versailles: *Because so much water was needed to run them, it was only done for special events. *However, when the king would walk the garden the servants would turn them on for Louis, and turned off when he walked away.

Bedroom at Versailles: *Chief valet awoke Louis at 8:30 *100 nobles awaited outside his canopy bed to be able to dress him. *Only 4 would be allowed the honor of handing Louis his slippers or holding his sleeves for him.

Louis the Sun King 500 Servants Wanted everything around him to be fancy- feasts, people fighting to dress him, Patron of Arts- Ballet, Art and Music- to Glorify the king

Louis controls the Nobles Because of his run-in with the nobles when he was young (riot during which he was threatened with a sword), he distrusts the nobles- takes away much of their political power Strengthened the Middle Class Intendants- the civil service who collect taxes & police Solution- invite nobles to your palace (Versailles) and make sure that you can watch everything they do… have power over them through keeping them CLOSE!

Louis’s Help Ruling Jean Baptiste Colbert- Minister of Finances Mercantilism- tries to make France self- sufficient No Trade= no gold leaving the country Import Tariff Colonies for Natural Resources

Good Try Louis Louis aimed to expand France by invading the Spanish part of the Netherlands Ended up getting in the war of the Spanish Succession Thanks a lot Louis! This warring brought about dismal losses and heavy taxing Upon his death, France was extremely ecstatic

Germany After the 30 years war: Over 300 “Germanies” 2 most powerful states: Prussia Austria

Frederick the Great of Prussia Built foundation for a newly made state of Prussia. Known as: Royal Drill Sergeant: Created the 4th largest army (40,000) in Europe Frederick the Great with Voltaire

Frederick plays papa to his people Frederick wanted to be a protective leader to his people He encouraged religious toleration and reform within Prussia Aimed to be honest and responsible Great legacy is his military strength and his expansion of Prussia’s power

Peter the Great A czar during the Romanov Dynasty Peter was a giant man- 6 feet tall, and had a HUGE temper. Was known to knock people unconscious if they defied him During a trip to the West, nobles tried to rise up and take over the throne- Peter came back and taught the rebels a lesson!!!

Peter the Reformer! Took a trip to the West and borrowed much of what he saw from the Europeans. Etiquette Culture – beards shaved women don’t have to cover their faces Modernized the army (210,000 men) and navy. To rule more effectively he set up a “police state” and governed through provinces. Made Russia as important as Europe by his death. St. Petersburg – window to the west

= Travels of Peter