Absolutism in Eastern Europe

Questions to consider as we study chapter 17- How did Absolutism develop in E. Europe? Where did Absolutism develop in E. Europe? Why is the dev of Absolutism in E.E. diff than the dev of Absolutism in W. Europe?

Austria Reassertion of serfdom in 16th and 17th centuries Disenfranchisement of middle classes Aftermath of the Great Famine and Black Plague in 14th century leads to efforts to increase power for middle class and lower classes. Successful in West, not in East. In west, nobles make compromises to deal with labor shortages, in East clamp down and make things harder.

Austria http://www.culturalresources.com/images/maps/HabsburgBig.jpg

Holy Roman Empire Only monarchical position ‘elected’. Electors really only supposed to step in during disputed succession, but become really powerful, ie, King Frederick William of Prussia

Ottoman Empire Ottomans at height under reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) Ottomans religiously tolerant, larger religious minorities in Ottoman/Turkish lands. When Suleiman dies, empire weakens. Turks attack Vienne in 1683 and are defeated by Austrians- croissant in honor of this defeat.

Charles VI 1 October 1685 – 20 October 1740, fought for the Spanish throne to reunify the Hapsburg dominions in 1700 when Charles II died. Forced to write the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713. War of Austrian Succession broke out on his death.

Maria Theresa 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780, untrained, rabidly anti-semitic

Austrian War of Succession

The Great Elector Frederick William –House of Hohenzollern Shrewd, skilled military leader, passed power in battles to commanders for quicker action. After revocation of Edict of Nantes he invited educated Protestants to Prussia to help build up nation. His father had used the Thirty Years War to build up the family’s power.

Frederick William I/II FW I (King of P) FW II Elector of Brandenburg continued the work of his grandfather to strengthen Prussia and pull Brandenburg out of HRE. Created strong army- “soldier king” improved farming and ag production, improved the economy and left a surplus. Also obsessed with giants and created the “Postdam Giants”

Russia How is Russia Western? Typical feudal system Christian How is it Eastern? Typical feudal system boyar nobility Christian Absolutist monarchs See themselves as heirs to Rome Eastern Orthodox Different alphabet More serious threat from Mongols-Mongol overlords for 200 years

Ivan III Real power come to the rulers under Ivan III Calls himself czar/caesar Throws off Mongol rule Marries daughter of last Byzantine Emperor Takes land from boyars and redistributes to those who serve him directly. Triples the size of Russia Makes Moscow and the Kremlin the official center of the Empire. http://www.wikiwak.com/image/Ivan+III+of+Russia.jpg

Ivan IV “The Terrible” Ivan III’s grandson, Ivan IV took even more power from the boyars, whom he despised. He increased the size of the Empire further Began the first secret police, the oprichniki Ordered purges and massacres to demonstrate power Expatriates ran to Ukraine and formed bands called Cossacks that fought against his encroachment on rights. Limited power of peasants, strengthening serfdom. http://www.smartmoscow.com/history/ivan_4.jpg

More Ivan Grozny Autocratic to the extreme Created a system of absolutism unrivaled in the West. Family problems led to the installation of a weak heir. Disorder leads to the “Time of Troubles” a fifteen year period of unrest. Institution of the Romanov family line helps a bit, but massive unrest continues to plague the country Peasant Revolts under Cossacks and Stenka Razin Conflict in the Church

Time of Troubles 1598-1613 Famine Cold Weather Violence Commoner on throne Problems with Cossacks on borders Ended with election of Michael Romanov as Michael I

Alexis I, son of Michael I Wife #1 Wife #2

Family Problems Peter’s older brother, Feodor inherited throne. He was touched and had scurvy and dropsy and died without an heir Ivan took throne, but was simple and needed a co-regent, so his sister really ruled. Peter raised in country after Sophia’s soldiers, the streltsy , killed all of Peter’s male relatives in front of him when he was eleven. When Ivan died, Peter assumed the throne and removed her.

Poor Sophia She tried to take the throne away with the help of her streltsy and he had her confined to a convent for the rest of her life. He hung the conspirators’ bodies from her window pane. She died 6 years later.

Peter The Great After this, a new power rises. Peter takes control of the country Westernizes Modernizes Strengthens military Builds navy Defeats Sweden in the long Great Northern War Takes the Baltic and gains ports

Peter the Great Peter builds a new city and capitol called St. Petersburg on the Baltic sea and the Neva River for better access to the West. Builds a modern royal residence, called the Hermitage The construction was arduous and dangerous The labor was forced like robot service or feudal obligations

palaces

Hermitage This website has a virtual hermitage tour http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/08/hm88_0.html