Absolutism in Europe

Europe Monarchs were strengthened through their colonies –Economic growth through mercantilism –Goal to become most wealthy nation –Competition among nations

Absolute Rule and Divine Right Rulers believed they were chosen by god to rule Divine Right –Known as Divine Right Also believed that they should have absolute power without limit Absolutism –Known as Absolutism

Spain Once the most powerful nation in Europe –Phillip II (rule ) Catholic, disliked Protestants –Spanish Inquisition, Reconquista Competition and conflict with England –Religious differences and British piracy sends he Spanish Armada to invade England –Fails Spain loses its place as the most powerful nation in Europe

England English monarchs share power with Parliament –Some try to take power from Parliament Tudor Dynasty: –Important rulers: Henry VIII (starts Anglican Church) Elizabeth I –Highly educated, not married, Europe flourishes under her reign, sponsored piracy against Spanish fleets

England Tudor Dynasty ends with Elizabeth –She died without an heir King of Scotland becomes new English monarch –James I Founder of Stuart Dynasty Believed in Divine Right and wanted absolute power

England England begins period of conflict –Religious and political James I and his successor, Charles I abuse their power English Civil War: –Supporters of king fight with supporters of Parliament Parliamentary forces led by Oliver Cromwell

England Cromwell defeats the kings forces –Monarchy abolished and England declared a Republic –Eventually, Cromwell will establish a military dictatorship 1658: Cromwell dies and monarchy eventually restored –Trouble will soon begin again

England James II became king in 1685 –Openly Catholic, has son who will carry on the Catholic rule 1688: Glorious Revolution –Nobles invite William and Mary to take throne Mary was James II’s daughter (Protestant) James and his family flee to France 1689: William and Mary sign the English Bill of Rights –Limit power of monarchs and give political power to Parliament

France Ruled by Bourbon Family Support Catholic Church –Short period of tolerance for Protestants Edict of Nantes

France Louis XIV –Became king in 1643 at age 5 Rules for 72 years –Sun King –Absolute ruler, Divine Right –Palace of Versailles

France Important advisors to monarchs: –Cardinal Richelieu: works to increase power of monarch (advisor of Louis XIII) –Jean Baptiste Colbert: believed in mercantilism (economic advisor of Louis XIV) France will wage many wars in attempts to increase her own power –Conflict with England War of Austrian Succession Seven Years War –Fought in Europe, Americas, India

German States Germany not a united country until late- 1800’s –Broken into small states –Part of the Holy Roman Empire Austria and Prussia two most important German states –Austria ruled by Hapsburgs –Prussia ruled by Hohenzollerns

German States Austrian rulers often also served as Emperors of Holy Roman Empire Important Ruler: –Maria Theresa: Came to throne in 1740

German States Prussia was a very militaristic German state –Ran by the Hohenzollern family Frederick William I increased the power of the Prussian military Frederick the Great made Prussia a great power

Russia Largely isolated from rest of Europe Economy underdeveloped due to Mongols Mongols overthrown by Moscow –Ivan III (Ivan the Great) Bloody history –Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

Russia Romanov Dynasty began in 1613 Important Rulers: –Peter I (Peter the Great) Rules from Wanted to Westernize Russia Made important changes to modernize Russia New capital at St. Petersburg War with Sweden for access to Baltic Sea

Russia Catherine the Great –German Princess who seizes throne from her husband Peter III –Also wanted to modernize and westernize Russia Although making improvements, Russian peasants had very harsh lives –Serfdom very much like slavery in Russia