Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter Five

What is absolutism? Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger Monarchs ruled with absolute powerMonarchs ruled with absolute power Divine Right Theory Divine Right Theory Idea that God had chosen the monarch to ruleIdea that God had chosen the monarch to rule Everyone believes the theory during this period Everyone believes the theory during this period If you question the king, you question God If you question the king, you question God

Europe During the Age of Absolutism

Strengths of Absolute Monarchies Efficiency Efficiency Decisions are made by one personDecisions are made by one person Nationalism Nationalism Promoted a common culture and identityPromoted a common culture and identity Stability Stability The ruler stays in power until deathThe ruler stays in power until death Wealth Wealth No resistance means a large and powerful empireNo resistance means a large and powerful empire

Weaknesses of Absolute Monarchies Undemocratic Undemocratic No collaboration of ideasNo collaboration of ideas Individual rights Individual rights Often violatedOften violated Stability Stability If the ruler was poor, it could affect the country for decadesIf the ruler was poor, it could affect the country for decades

How to achieve more power? Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways: Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways: Raising taxesRaising taxes Increased their overall wealth and treasuries Increased their overall wealth and treasuries Waging warWaging war Victory often led to riches Victory often led to riches

Absolute Monarchy-Spain Phillip II (reign: ) Phillip II (reign: ) Fought to protect and expand CatholicismFought to protect and expand Catholicism Took control of Portugal when its king died without an heirTook control of Portugal when its king died without an heir Created an army of about 50K soldiersCreated an army of about 50K soldiers

The Fall of the Spanish Empire Inflation and Taxes Inflation and Taxes Spain suffered from a severe economic declineSpain suffered from a severe economic decline Wars cost Spain too much moneyWars cost Spain too much money Had to declared bankruptcy Had to declared bankruptcy

Absolute Monarchy in France Religious Wars and Power Struggles Religious Wars and Power Struggles King Henry of Navarre-converted to CatholicismKing Henry of Navarre-converted to Catholicism Survived the 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (of Huguenots) Survived the 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (of Huguenots) Henry’s declaration of religious toleration Henry’s declaration of religious toleration -Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in peace Louis XIII and RichelieuLouis XIII and Richelieu After Henry died, his son took over… After Henry died, his son took over… Louis XIII Henry of Navarre

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu Louis XIII was a weak King Louis XIII was a weak King Had an extremely powerful minister for support-Cardinal RichelieuHad an extremely powerful minister for support-Cardinal RichelieuWho… Moved against the Huguenots and all ProtestantsMoved against the Huguenots and all Protestants Weakened the Nobles power and relied on the middle class insteadWeakened the Nobles power and relied on the middle class instead

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIV Comes to Power Louis XIV, the Boy King (1643) Louis XIV, the Boy King (1643) Was not the true leader until 1661Was not the true leader until 1661 Cardinal Marazin ran the countryCardinal Marazin ran the country Louis Weakens the Noble’s Authority Louis Weakens the Noble’s Authority Excluded the Nobles from his councilExcluded the Nobles from his council Loses his influence over the same people who gave the Monarchy its true powerLoses his influence over the same people who gave the Monarchy its true power

The Sun King’s Grand Style King Louis spent much money on his personal life (servants, food, etc.) King Louis spent much money on his personal life (servants, food, etc.) Especially the Palace at VersaillesEspecially the Palace at Versailles Louis Controls the Nobility Louis Controls the Nobility Forced Nobles to be at the palaceForced Nobles to be at the palace Making them dependant on the King Making them dependant on the King Forced them from their homes Forced them from their homes Patronage of the Arts Patronage of the Arts Palace was the center of European artsPalace was the center of European arts

Louis XIV “The Sun King”

The Palace at Versailles

Bedroom of Louis XIV

Death of Louis XIV and Legacy Louis died in 1715 Louis died in 1715 Positive LegacyPositive Legacy France much more powerful France much more powerful At the top of art, literature At the top of art, literature Military leader of Europe Military leader of Europe Negative LegacyNegative Legacy Constant warfare and construction Constant warfare and construction Deep debt Deep debt Unfair tax system Unfair tax system

States Form in Central Europe Economic Contrasts with the West Economic Contrasts with the West Serfdom still strong in eastern EuropeSerfdom still strong in eastern Europe Weak Empires Weak Empires Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire The rise of Austria and Prussia The rise of Austria and Prussia Due to the end of the Holy Roman EmpireDue to the end of the Holy Roman Empire

Ottoman Empire HRE

Prussian Empire Austrian- Hungarian Empire

States Form in Central Europe Weak Empires Weak Empires Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire The rise of Austria and Prussia The rise of Austria and Prussia Due to the end of the Holy Roman EmpireDue to the end of the Holy Roman Empire

States Form in Eastern Europe Austria Grows Stronger Austria Grows Stronger Gains Hungary and BohemiaGains Hungary and Bohemia Wiped out ProtestantismWiped out Protestantism Maria Theresa Inherits the Throne Maria Theresa Inherits the Throne Fought constantly with PrussiaFought constantly with Prussia Limited the labor that nobles could force peasants to doLimited the labor that nobles could force peasants to do

States Form in Eastern Europe Austria Grows Stronger Austria Grows Stronger Gains Hungary and BohemiaGains Hungary and Bohemia Wiped out ProtestantismWiped out Protestantism

Prussia Challenges Austria The Rise of Prussia The Rise of Prussia Became a rigidly controlled, highly militarized societyBecame a rigidly controlled, highly militarized society Controlled by the King and the Junker class – landowning noblesControlled by the King and the Junker class – landowning nobles Frederick the Great Frederick the Great Very practical leader – ruler as fatherVery practical leader – ruler as father Atheist- established religious tolerationAtheist- established religious toleration Very aggressive in foreign affairsVery aggressive in foreign affairs

Prussia Challenges Austria War of Austrian Succession War of Austrian Succession War between Prussia and Austria (1740)War between Prussia and Austria (1740) Fought for control of Silesia (iron, textiles)Fought for control of Silesia (iron, textiles) France helped Prussia, England and AustriaFrance helped Prussia, England and Austria Prussia wins in 1748, becoming a major European powerPrussia wins in 1748, becoming a major European power

The Absolute Rulers of Russia The First Czar The First Czar Ivan IV (“The Terrible”)Ivan IV (“The Terrible”) became czar (caesar) in 1533 became czar (caesar) in 1533 Took control over the nobles Took control over the nobles Rule by TerrorRule by Terror Police force organized to track down and murder “traitors” to Ivan Police force organized to track down and murder “traitors” to Ivan Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the land to new, more loyal nobles Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the land to new, more loyal nobles

Ivan IV

The Absolute Rulers of Russia (cont) Rise of the Romanovs Rise of the Romanovs After Ivan IV’s death (1584), there was a power vacuumAfter Ivan IV’s death (1584), there was a power vacuum “Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling for power“Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling for power 1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as the next czar1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as the next czar Romanov Dynasty Romanov Dynasty

Peter the Great Comes to Power Peter visits the West Wanted to learn about European customs and manufacturing techniquesWanted to learn about European customs and manufacturing techniques

Peter the Great

St. Petersburg The Cathedral of the Spilled Blood

Parliament Limits the English Monarchy Monarchs Defy Parliament Monarchs Defy Parliament King James’s ProblemsKing James’s Problems Offended Puritan members of Parliament Offended Puritan members of Parliament Fought over money Fought over money King Charles I Fights ParliamentKing Charles I Fights Parliament Wanted money, Parliament refused each time – he dissolved Parliament Wanted money, Parliament refused each time – he dissolved Parliament Parliament forced him to sign the Petition of Right – took power from King Parliament forced him to sign the Petition of Right – took power from King He did, but then just ignored itHe did, but then just ignored it

The Magna Carta On a side note… The Magna Carta 1. Henry II’s son, Richard the Lion- Hearted assumed the throne after his death 1. Henry II’s son, Richard the Lion- Hearted assumed the throne after his death 2.Richard’s brother John, an unpopular king, followed him and fights a costly & unsuccessful war with France 2.Richard’s brother John, an unpopular king, followed him and fights a costly & unsuccessful war with France 3.People don’t like to lose money 3.People don’t like to lose money 4.Those with money ( the English nobles) rebelled & forced John to grant guarantees of certain traditional political rights in the form of… 4.Those with money ( the English nobles) rebelled & forced John to grant guarantees of certain traditional political rights in the form of…

… presented their demands to him in written form as the Magna Carta (Great Charter). The Magna Carta Served as the major source of traditional English respect for individual rights & liberties… Served as the major source of traditional English respect for individual rights & liberties… served as a contract between the king & nobles of England served as a contract between the king & nobles of England It implied the idea that monarchs had to govern according to common law not divine law It implied the idea that monarchs had to govern according to common law not divine law

King James then King Charles  As king, James I continued to ignore parliamentary courts, which used common law. because of this… The people began to accuse the king of tyranny. Then came King Charles

Parliament Overthrows the King The troubles under James became explosions under his son, Charles I, who became king in The troubles under James became explosions under his son, Charles I, who became king in He asked Parliament for money in  In return for money, Parliament tried to limit royal power further with the Petition of Right ( document against theories of absolute monarchy). It demanded an end to taxing without Parliament’s consent taxing without Parliament’s consent imprisoning citizens illegally imprisoning citizens illegally housing troops in citizens’ homes housing troops in citizens’ homes maintaining military government in peacetime maintaining military government in peacetime

The End of Charles I 1. Charles agreed to sign the petition. 2. Then, he ignored the commitments secured in the document. 3. Charles dismissed Parliament in 1629 and refused to convene it again. 4. Parliament passed laws to reduce the power of the monarchy, angering the king. Grievances continued to grow. 5. In 1642, the English Civil War broke out; Royalists, who upheld the monarchy, were opposed by antiroyalists, who supported Parliament.

English Civil War War Topples a King War Topples a King Parliament tried to limit the powers of King Charles I – starts a war insteadParliament tried to limit the powers of King Charles I – starts a war instead English Civil War ( )English Civil War ( ) Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. RoundheadsRoyalists (Cavaliers) vs. Roundheads Puritan Roundheads wonPuritan Roundheads won Tried, convicted and executed Charles I Tried, convicted and executed Charles I Never had a monarch been tried and executedNever had a monarch been tried and executed

English Civil War (cont) Oliver Cromwell’s Rule Oliver Cromwell’s Rule General during the war who now led the countryGeneral during the war who now led the country Established a republican governmentEstablished a republican government Had to squash a rebellion in IrelandHad to squash a rebellion in Ireland Puritan Morality Puritan Morality Sought to reform societySought to reform society Abolish sinful activities – sports, theaterAbolish sinful activities – sports, theater Religious toleration for all except CatholicsReligious toleration for all except Catholics Cromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsedCromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsed

Charles I Commanded by their leader Oliver Cromwell, antiroyalists won control of the government… Soon after …Charles was condemned as a “tyrant, murderer, and public enemy” and, in 1649, was executed.

Establishment of Constitutional Monarchy 1. After Charles’s execution, Cromwell established a republic called the Commonwealth of England. After failing to gain full support from Parliament… 2.In 1653 he dissolved Parliament and created a government called the Protectorate. He named himself Lord Protector, in effect becoming a military dictator. 3. Cromwell’s son Richard is a failure leading to him resigning and in 1660, a new Parliament restored the monarchy and invited Charles Stuart, the son of Charles I, to take the throne.

Oliver Cromwell

Restoration and Revolution Charles II Reigns Charles II Reigns Restored the Monarchy of EnglandRestored the Monarchy of England Reformed the legal systemReformed the legal system James II and the Glorious Revolution James II and the Glorious Revolution King James offended many b/c of his CatholicismKing James offended many b/c of his Catholicism Parliament worried of a Catholic line of KingsParliament worried of a Catholic line of Kings James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William were asked by Parliament to overthrow JamesJames’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William were asked by Parliament to overthrow James William invaded, and James fled – Bloodless Revolution known as the Glorious RevolutionWilliam invaded, and James fled – Bloodless Revolution known as the Glorious Revolution

King Charles II and King James II King Charles II and King James II

England’s Legacy & Influence Parliament had established its right to limit the English monarch’s power and to control succession to the throne, making it a constitutional monarchy, in which the powers of the ruler are restricted by the constitution and the laws of the country. This was done through the…

English Bill of Rights In 1689, William and Mary accepted from Parliament a The English Bill of Rights which limited the monarchy’s power and protected free speech in Parliament. Ruler cannot: Ruler cannot: Suspend Parliament’s lawsSuspend Parliament’s laws Levy taxes without permissionLevy taxes without permission Interfere with freedom of speechInterfere with freedom of speech Penalize a citizen who criticizes the KingPenalize a citizen who criticizes the King

Limits On A Monarchs Power Bill of Rights Bill of Rights William and Mary established a constitutional monarchyWilliam and Mary established a constitutional monarchy Limits on royal power increasedLimits on royal power increased Cabinet System Develops Cabinet System Develops Became the link between the King and Parliament - advisors to the KingBecame the link between the King and Parliament - advisors to the King Leader of the majority party heads the cabinet – Prime MinisterLeader of the majority party heads the cabinet – Prime Minister

1. The United States adopted many of the government reforms and institutions that the English developed in this period. including… Habeus corpus Habeus corpus freedom of speech freedom of speech freedom of worship freedom of worship strong executive and legislative governments checking each other strong executive and legislative governments checking each other 2. From Magna Carta to Bill of Rights, these legal and political developments, along with the ideas of the Enlightenment, would give rise to democratic revolutions in America and France in the late 18th century. Why This Is Important?