Absolute Monarchs in Europe

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 in France Religious Wars and Power Struggles Religious Wars and Power Struggles Henry of Navarre-converted to CatholicismHenry 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) Edict of Nantes (1598)Edict of Nantes (1598) Henry’s declaration of religious toleration Henry’s declaration of religious toleration Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in peace Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in peace Henry of Navarre

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

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

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

Central Monarchs Clash The Thirty Years’ War ( ) The Thirty Years’ War ( ) Fought between Protestants (Hapsburgs) and Catholics in the Holy Roman EmpireFought between Protestants (Hapsburgs) and Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire Naval warfare expanded its destructionNaval warfare expanded its destruction Helped to shape colonial formation of future nationsHelped to shape colonial formation of future nations First 12 years, Protestants are successfulFirst 12 years, Protestants are successful Next 18 years, Catholics eventually gain the advantageNext 18 years, Catholics eventually gain the advantage

Hapsburg Crest – Dual Headed Eagle SpainAustria

The Thirty Years’ War

The Peace of Westphalia Ends the Thirty Years’ War Ends the Thirty Years’ War Hapsburgs of Spain and Austria weakenedHapsburgs of Spain and Austria weakened France was strengthenedFrance was strengthened Religious wars in Europe endedReligious wars in Europe ended German princes were independent of HREGerman princes were independent of HRE Peace negotiation to end war startedPeace negotiation to end war started Beginning of Modern States Beginning of Modern States Ended the idea of a Catholic empireEnded the idea of a Catholic empire

Russian History Russia Contrasts with Europe Russia Contrasts with Europe EconomicallyEconomically Still heavily reliant on serfdom Still heavily reliant on serfdom SociallySocially Mongols kept Russia isolated from Renaissance and Age of Exploration Mongols kept Russia isolated from Renaissance and Age of Exploration GeographicallyGeographically Ports froze during winter Ports froze during winter Size of Russia was a problem Size of Russia was a problem Religious differencesReligious differences Europe: Catholic or Protestant Europe: Catholic or Protestant Russia: Orthodox Russia: Orthodox

The Absolute Rulers of Russia The First Czar The First Czar Ivan IV (“The Terrible”)Ivan IV (“The Terrible”) became czar in 1533 became czar 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

The Absolute Rulers of Russia (cont) Rise of the Romanovs Rise of the Romanovs Ivan IV’s death (1584) “Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling for powerIvan IV’s death (1584) “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 Rules Absolutely Peter’s Reforms Peter’s Reforms Russian Orthodox Church under state controlRussian Orthodox Church under state control Reduced the power of landownersReduced the power of landowners Hired European military officersHired European military officers Westernizing Russia Westernizing Russia Introduced potatoesIntroduced potatoes Women’s status increasedWomen’s status increased Nobles had to give up traditional dressNobles had to give up traditional dress Advanced educationAdvanced education

Peter Rules Absolutely Establishing St. Petersburg Establishing St. Petersburg Wanted to establish a seaportWanted to establish a seaport Make it easier to get to Europe Make it easier to get to Europe Warm water port – would not freeze in winter Warm water port – would not freeze in winter Built on a swampBuilt on a swamp K people died to build the city25-100K people died to build the city Became a very important port cityBecame a very important port city

St. Petersburg The Cathedral of the Spilled Blood

The 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

The Restoration and Revolution King Charles II King Charles II Restored the Monarchy of EnglandRestored the Monarchy of England Reformed the legal systemReformed the legal system King James II King James II 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

The Restoration and Revolution King James II and the Glorious Revolution King James II and the Glorious Revolution Parliament asked James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William to overthrow JamesParliament asked James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William to overthrow James William invaded, and James fledWilliam invaded, and James fled It was a Bloodless RevolutionIt was a Bloodless Revolution Known as the Glorious Revolution Known as the Glorious Revolution

Limits on Monarch’s 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 Establishment of the English Bill of RightsEstablishment of the English Bill of Rights 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

English Bill of Rights 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 THE ENDTHE END