The Age of Absolutism (1650 – 1800) Lecture One

Overview What is History? Sources Absolute Monarchies Spain, France, England, Russia, Austria, Prussia and the Americas Habsburg, Bourbon, Stuart, Romanov and Hohenzollern Colonialism Parliament Enlightenment Revolution

What is History? “History is but a fable agreed upon…” - Napoleon Bonaparte OR “History happens…” “Only the victors write history.” “History is what we remember.” “History…who cares?”

History is… An event A person, place or thing Needs proof Is an interpretation Is constantly evolving...stay tuned!

Sources…prove it! Primary Sources – made during the time being studied: Written – Annals, eg. “Annals Cambriae”; Polemics (from the time), eg. The Venerable Bede; Histories, eg. Geoffrey of Monmouth; letters, diaries, etc. Non Written – Archaeology; later-recordings, photos etc. Secondary Sources – made after the time being studied: Written – Text Books, Histories, biographies etc. Non Written – everything else!!! Secondary sources are a great place to start, then support with Primary sources!

Absolute Monarchies The 17th and 18th centuries were the age of the absolute monarchies. Absolutism had its beginning in the great national monarchies of the 16th century. www2.wwnorton.com/.../resource/absolute.htm

Spain, France, England, Russia, Austria, Prussia and the Americas These countries consolidated their empires in a period known as the “Golden Age”, made possible by their rich possessions in the New World and their dynastic lands in Europe. http://www.nps.gov/safr/forteachers/upload/galleon.jpg

Habsburg, Bourbon, Stuart, Romanov and Hohenzollern The Habsburgs extended their reign from Spain to Austria, giving rise to the Holy Roman Empire The Bourbon kings would be one of the most successful of the French rulers From Elizabeth (a Tudor), the Stuart line would dominate Britain The Russian Romanov and the Prussian Hohenzollern rulers would govern their countries with iron fists

Colonialism The power and prestige of the emerging powerhouses of Europe was founded on their ability to exploit their colonial ambitions http://www.flotte2.com/1800AD_files/image005.jpg

Parliament However, as the strength of the Kings increased, so to did an awareness of an individual’s rights Concepts of representation, democracy and freedom were cautiously courted English parliament in front of the king http://www.search.com/reference/Parliament_of_England

Enlightenment Throughout Europe, an emerging philosophy which taught that man was essentially good and reasonable and therefore able to rule himself, challenged ideas of absolute monarchies. Such thinkers were called ‘enlightened’ archives.gallaudet.edu/EnlightenmentEra.htm

Revolution With the enlightenment, came a real sense of justice and democracy, absolute monarchies were challenged, sometimes violently. Perhaps the most famous of these challenges was the French Revolution of the late 18th Century http://endtimepilgrim.org/guillotine3.jpg

Beginnings of Modern World History Strong National Identity Democracy Violent Revolution Science and Reason Philosophy Christianity Re-defined World Economies The Modern World was just around the corner… www.britannica.com/eb/art-86997 Enlightenment: meeting to discuss "L'Encyclopedie"