European Centralization, New Elites, and War

European Centralization As Europeans became richer from trade, governments became more focused on organized tax collection and bureaucracy Rulers such as Philip II in Spain and Louis XIV in France began to use this money and power to control the nobles (not Eng though) What was once a tug-of-war between nobles and the kings was become a more united, powerful centralized system Rather than support the king with oaths of fealty, nobles were incorporated into the gov. Centralized govs. also began to increase efforts to settle and explore the Americas, especially North America, for fishing, lumber, metals, and plantation land (Eng, Neth, Fra)

Conflict with Nobles As a result of centralization, nobles were losing influence in old Europe to the kings in Spain, France, Sweden, and other countries when their views on feudalism gave way to a new idea Known as the Divine Right of Kings, Europeans believed the king received his authority directly from God, and therefore, could not be questioned These kings built magnificent monuments and castles to demonstrate their power (Versailles Palace - Fr), and higher artists to paint portraits of themselves as might leaders Not all power was lost, however, as many of these kings, such as Louis XIV of France, made the nobles a part of the centralized government Nobles soon became the ones who ran the government, its bureaucracy, the military, and were able to keep some of their local authority

European gentry and merchants As Europeans grew richer and richer from exploration, trade, silver, and cash crops, a new class of powerful people began to emerge: the gentry Starting in England and the Netherlands, regular citizens and merchants began to accumulate massive amounts of wealth, and purchased land These non-nobles quickly became richer than the noble-born lords of Europe, accumulated more land, and began to wield political power Urban European commercial entrepreneurs began to inhabit and control local policies in all major port cities in the world From 1500 to 1700, the old elites—the nobles—were soon equalized or surpassed in power and wealth by the new, emerging gentry merchant class and outmuscled by centralizing monarchs and the Divine Right of Kings

The Reformation – 1517-1648 While European states began to centralize and identify as countries, the religious unity Western Europe had disappeared with the Reformation Unhappy with indulgences, simony, and nepotism in the Church, Martin Luther, a monk, wrote the 95 Theses that against the corruption in the Church Upon distributing these problems via the printing press, many other parts of Europe began to agree, and split with Luther from the Church Known as Protestantism, many of the German, English, and Scandinavians broke from the Catholic Church, and resisted its attempts to force them back While Protestants would successfully resist, Europe, especially Spain, waged many religious wars, killing and spending millions on religious conflicts from 1517-1648

Conflicts in Europe Battle Over Trade Routes Battle of Diu – 1509 – Portuguese victory over Muslim forces for control of the IOTN Privateers and pirates in the Caribbean; fighting between Sp/Eng/Neth/Fra over Caribbean holdings Battles with Islam Siege of Vienna – 1529 and 1683 – Catholic forces hold off Ottoman advances by land into Europe twice, ending the Ottoman threat in Europe Battle of Lepanto – 1571 – massive naval battle between Christian European states and the Ottoman Empire; result: Christian forces win complete control of Med. Sea Battles with other Europeans (state rivalries) Thirty Years War (1618-1648)– the final religious war that included every single major power in Europe Result: victory of centralized France and Sweden over Spain, and the end of Spanish reign as the ultimate power in Europe and the world