Introduction to Absolutism

Journal #10 What comes to mind when you think of an Absolute Ruler? Examples?

Charles V Member of the Hapsburg royal family King of Spain, part of Italy, Austria, Holland (odd collection of countries) Also was Holy Roman Emperor, so he controlled large parts of Germany

Charles V Charles V disgusted by Peace of Augsburg Q: What was the Peace of Augsburg? Decides to quit his job, retires to a monastery, divides up his empire Ferdinand gets Austria and the Holy Roman Empire Philip II gets Spain, Holland, and Spain’s colonies in America

Philip II Philip loses the Netherlands Philip’s Armada defeated Netherlands now biggest trading power in Europe Philip’s Armada defeated England now most powerful country in Europe Drove Philip to rule Spain even more tightly then ever – absolute control Absolutism – king or queen holding all of the power within their nation’s borders

Absolutism Philip, despite losing so much, ruled Spain with an iron fist – he controlled every aspect of his empire’s business This began the idea that monarchs could rule absolutely, or in totality – did as they wanted Goal was to control every aspect of society

Absolutism Monarchs also believed in divine right God created the monarchy and the monarch was God’s representative on earth Monarchs grew richer and more powerful Merchants and traders supported them because the monarch could guarantee peace More peace = more money Church was weaker at the same time (Reformation)

Causes of Absolutism Religious/territorial conflict = uncertainty and fear Big armies required higher taxes to support them Peasants revolted against taxes Kings rules even more harshly

Effects of Absolutism Kings regulated worship and social gatherings Q: Why would they do this? Royal courts made larger to impress people with their size Bureaucracies created to control economies

A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution