BR 9/28 Should America be ruled by just one person? Why or why not? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system? Be ready to discuss your opinion!

Absolutism Absolutism – the political belief that one ruler should hold all the power within the boundaries of a country Absolute rulers led by divine right Divine right – the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on Earth An absolute monarch answers only to God and NOT to his or her subjects

Causes of Absolutism Again the Catholic Church splitting and losing power in the Reformation left a leadership void in society Religious and territorial conflicts created fear and uncertainty The growth of armies to deal with conflicts caused rulers to raised taxes to pay troops Heavy taxes led to additional unrest and peasant revolts

Effects of Absolutism Rulers regulated religious worship and social gatherings to control the spread of ideas Rulers increased the size of their courts to appear more powerful Rulers created bureaucracies to control their countries’ economies Supported the arts to show off their power and wealth by purchasing art and commissioning lavish entertainments (like opera and ballet)

Justifying Power Divine Right Monarchs believed their power came from God. God created the monarchy and the monarch acted as God’s representatives on earth. Monarchs believed they only answered to God and not their subjects (people).

Philip’s Empire He inherited Spain, Spanish Netherlands and the American colonies. 1580, Philip seized the Portuguese kingdom because he was the nephew of the king of Portugal. Colonies supplied Spain with immense wealth. Enough to pay a standing army of 50,000.

Defender of Catholicism 1571 Answering the Pope’s request, Philip sent troops to fight the Muslim, Ottoman Empire. 1554 Philip marries Mary I of England hoping to add to his empire, unite against the French and return England to Catholicism. After Mary died, Philip offered himself to her sister, Elizabeth I. Elizabeth refused. 1588 Philip launched the Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I, a protestant Queen. The Armada was defeated by England and weakened Spain.

Spanish Empire Weakens Severe Inflation Caused by a growing population demanding goods and services and a drop in the price of silver, value of money Unfair tax system Spain’s nobles did not have to pay taxes. Tax burden fell on poor. Spain never developed a middle class.

Spanish Empire Weakens Dutch Revolt Religious differences, many in the Spanish Netherlands were protestant Calvinists. Philip raised taxes in Netherland territories to crush Protestantism. 1566-79 Religious warfare between Catholics and Protestants takes hold in the Netherlands. 1579 – Protestant parts of Netherlands declared their independence from Spain.

Independent Dutch Differences with other European Countries A Republic, not a kingdom Each province elected a governor Practiced religious tolerance Established a trading Empire 1636 – had the largest fleet in Europe Fleet helped the Dutch East India Company dominate the Asian Spice Trade and Indian Ocean. Dutch gradually replace the Italians as the bankers of Europe.

And what happened to Philip? Died a painful death in 1598 from sickness Spain reached peak under his rule, but he was never able to defeat Protestantism or defeat the Dutch rebellion Philippines named for him

Put away your notes for these… Exit Questions What was Philip II known for defending? Name two reasons why the Spanish Empire lost power. From who did absolute monarchs think their power came from? (think divine right)