1. France in the Age of Absolutism
Monarchs of Europe
France in the Age of Absolutism

2. Absolutism
Period in European history where a monarch ruled a centralized state with aboslute authority.
Monarch had unlimited control
Did not follow any laws
but Gods.
Today an absolute monarch
is considered
A dictator

3. Strengthening the Monarchy
Henry IV (4th)
Came to French throne in 1589.
Been a Huguenot
Converted to Catholicism to help bring peace an d unity to France.
Henry issued Edict of Nantes
Guranteed freedom of
worship (ended religious wars)
Helped control nobility to
regain power.

4. Henry VII Primary Problem
French tax system was unfairly distributed
Nobles and member of clergy were exempted from taxes.
People from large cities did not have to pay the royal tax.
To improve system, Henry VII puts Duke of Sully in charge
Could not fix everything, but improved system dramatically.
More money went to French treasury
This improved industry and trade.

5. Louis XIII (13th) Henry VII was murdered in 1610.
Son was eight years old when he takes over France. His mother:
Marie de Medicis ruled as regent until Louis took throne in 1617.
Weak and Wise King:
Weak: sick and could not concentrate
Wise: he chose wise advisors who provided strong leadership

6. Cardinal Richelieu Chief minister to Louis VIII
Worked to take power away from nobles and political rights away from the Huguenots.
Encouraged trade and industry
Huguenots: lived in fortified cities that were like states within states. Made impossible for centralized government.
Led military attacks on Huguenot towns.
After a year, Richelieu lets them practice own religion and hold public office, but took away right in fortified cities.
Strengthens authority of regional representatives
Intendants: monarchy’s representatives of the king in the provinces that made up France.
Over time, take away financial power away from regional governors and military leaders. Put it in the hands of the king.

7. Thirty Years War Began in Prague in 1618
Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire
France, Sweden, Denmark vs. Holy Roman Empire (Hapsburg Family).
Richelieu worked on keeping war going but keeping France out.
Most of war took place in Germany and ruined the country.
Treaty of Westphalia ended the war
France receives Alsace territory along the Rhine River
Weakened Hapsburgs and Holy Roman Empire
Independence to Netherlands and Switzerland

8. Louis XIV (14th): The Sun King
Ruled for 72 years, longest reign in French history.
Built huge palace at Versailles: moved govt. there
To gain absolute rule, Louis XIV:
Divine Right of Kings: chosen by God to rule.
“I am the state”
Important nobles forced to live at palace of Versailles.
Improve Economic Development: Appointed Jean- Baptiste Colbert: expert in finance.
Granted government subsidies

9. Russia in the Age of Absolutism
Section 2

10. Isolation and a New Dynasty
Factors separated Russia from Western Europe
Before 1480, Mongol ruled for 200 years (Asian influence)
Religion: Eastern Orthodox rather than RC or Protestant
Used Cyrillic alphabet (communication problems).
Geographic problems
Sweden and Poland blocked Russia from Baltic Sea.
Ottoman Turks controlled coast of Black Sea.
Poland and Eastern Europe hurt trade and commercial contact with Europeans.

11. Leaders
Ivan the terrible centers power on himself, the czar. Ivan dies in 1584.
1613, Michael Romanov is elected as czar.
Romanov Family
Large, powerful, and wealthy
Ruled Russia for next 300 years
Russia becomes leading European power
Sought to build power of czar
Suppressed protests of religious group called Old Believers.

12. Peter the Great Was ruthless like Ivan
Russia needed to become more like rest of Europe.
Goal: Acquire water ports on Sea of Azov and Black Sea
Problem: Areas controlled by Ottoman Empire.
To defeat Turks, he would need help from Western Europe.
Solution: Disguises as private citizen, visits Western Europe to ask for help, but they say no.
Learns many things about the West.

13. Peter improves army’s training and weaponry.
Westerninzing Russia
Peter improves army’s training and weaponry.
Starts long war with Sweden (gains territory on east coast of Gulf of Finland). Access to Baltic Sea.
Built new city of St. Petersburg in new territory.
Moved capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg (closer to W. Europe)
Social Changes
Women: less isolated from society
Nobles: Shaved off beards and dressed in European styles.
Government and Economy
Reformed government’s administration
Encouraged manufacturing and foreign trade
Peter had full control of government and church

14. Nobility
Service Nobility: individuals noble’s rank depending on government service.
In return, czar granted individual nobles large estates of serfs.
Increases number of serfs in Russia and worsened conditions.

15. Regret Russian Orthodox Church: Russian nobles:
Objected interference in traditional church practices and drive to control entire clergy.
Russian nobles:
Angered by Peter’s moves to restructure the government and centralize power towards himself.

16. Catherine the Great
Supported art, science, literature, and theater (Russians did not care for this).
Nobles became more westernized (Ex: spoke French).
Expansion of Peter the Great
Still wanted control of Sea of Azov and Black Sea
Successful war against the Turks=gain most of north shore of Black Sea.

17. Poland Three nations: Prussia, Austria, and Russia
First Partition of Poland:
These three countries seized slices of Polish territory for themselves.
Second Partition of Poland:
Same thing happens except with only Russia and Prussia.
Russia gains more than 200,000 square miles under Catherine the Great.
Russia now reached central Europe
Force to consider for balance of power.

18. Expansion Eastward
Before Catherine: Russain settlers, Cossacks, expanded eastward.
Captured Mongol city of Sibir (access to Siberia).
Fur trade develops (attracts a lot of settlers).
Amur River, Chinese come in contact with Russia.
Signed treaty to establish Amur River as border and established trade relations.
Crossed Bering Strait to North America.
Set up colony in Alaska
Trading posts expanded Southward.