European Absolutism 1500 - 1800

Key Terms Monarch – King or Queen Absolute Monarch – kings or queens that held all the power within their country Divine right –idea that God gave the monarch their power. Therefor, monarch answered to God only and not the people

Absolutism Evolves Reformation End of Papal supremacy Religious wars People desire peace Stronger central authority may provide this Growth of national pride

Absolutism in Europe Absolutism has existed in many places at many times throughout history. European Absolutism remerges around 1500 Why do we specifically look at Europe? We are part of the western world so it means more to us Europe will be a dominate power of the world after this until the 2000s (500 yrs) We are going to look at a few of main countries

Spain 1555 - 1588 Charles V – Hapsburg Family (important family) Empire too big so he divides it and retires (1555) Brother, Ferdinand gets Austria Son, Phillip gets Spain

Spain 1550 - 1588 Phillip II Believed in divine right Built the Spanish Armada Largest navy in the world at this time why Becomes wealthy from gold and silver from the Americas He personally gets 1/4 Seeks to punish Non-Catholic nations Attacks the Ottomans w/ armada Wins and weakens Ottomans a little Attacks protestant England w/ his armada Loses the battle and weakens Spain (1571) England becomes a sea power (1588)

France 1559 – 1598 Internal religious wars Henry of Navarre Allows for religious freedom Brings peace Strengthens monarchy Killed by religious fanatic Louis XIII – son, too young to rule Cardinal Richelieu rules for him No wall allowed around protestant towns Dismantles all defenses of nobles castles Sets up a spy organization He is the bad guy in the Three Musketeers stories

France Continued Louis XIII – Dies 1643 Louis XIV 1648 to 1653 violent riots, often led by different nobles They threaten the life of Louis XIV Louis XIV Angered by threats he takes all power away from nobles Fills govt. positions with middle class people Increases France’s wealth with colonial resources Most powerful French King

Louis XIV – The Sun King Palace at Versailles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIDU39xVcyQ

Central Europe Central Europe has old yet weakening Kingdoms Holy Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire 2 countries take advantage Austria Takes over smaller kingdoms and kills off nobles Creates new ones that swear allegiance Austria becomes a mix of many different nationalities and cultures. Must rule with an iron fist Comes back to haunt them World War I starts here Prussia Will become Germany one day Gobbles up parts of old HRE Gives nobles exclusive right to officer positions in the military This becomes a very militaristic country In the future Franco Prussian War World War I World War II