1. ABSOLUTISM – Key Concepts & Monarchs

2. Entry Task:
1. Identify the 3 critical attributes of Absolutism.
2. Explain how the painting represents each attribute.

3. What is Absolutism?
A time period in which incredibly powerful kings and queens controlled everything.
Also known as Age of Absolutism
This control extended to:
Religion
Social life
The economy
Politics

4. Broader causes of Absolutism
1. Decline of feudalism 2. Rise of cities 3. Growth of national kingdoms 4. Growing middle class -They wanted peace that monarchs could provide 5. Church authority broke down - because of the Reformation

5. Immediate causes of Absolutism
A. Unrest led to Absolutism
Religious and territorial conflicts (especially in Europe)
B. Governments built armies and raised taxes as a result
Monarchs tried to centralize power to keep control

6. Charles V
Country: Spain/Holy Roman Empire
Years:
Achievements: Ruled over Spain, Austria & the Netherlands as Holy Roman Emperor, ruled for 40 years.
Downfalls: Large diverse empire with many threats: Turks, French, & German Protestant princes. Exhausted, he gave up his titles & divided his empire in His brother Ferdinand became Holy Roman Emperor, his son Philip II ruled Spain, the Netherlands, & the vast Spanish overseas empire.

7. Philip II
Country: Spain
Years:
Achievements: Hard-working ruler who ushered in the Golden age of Spain – the most powerful nation. He also helped the Catholic Church persecute Protestants during the Counter-Reformation, ruled for 42 years.
Downfalls: Spanish armada defeated by England. After Philip II Spanish power slowly declined as rulers became weaker (inbreeding), too much taxation, & money spent on overseas wars.

8. Louis XIV
Country: France
Years: 1643 – 1715
Achievements: Called himself the “Sun King” & said “I am the state.” Strengthened the monarchy, expanded bureaucracy, built palace of Versailles, strongest army in Europe, made France a wealthy cultural center, ruled for 72 years!
Downfalls: He used the wealth for his own benefit, peasants starved, numerous wars, never called Estates General. The French monarchy would not survive long after his death.

9. Ivan the Terrible
Country: Russia
Years:
Achievements: Introduced extreme absolute power, expanded Russian lands, made Russia more religious, ruled for 37 years.
Downfalls: Set up the first Russian secret police, the Oprichniki, who murdered thousands for him. Was extremely violent – killed many nobles & destroyed many towns, beat his pregnant daughter-in-law, killed his son in a fit of rage.

10. Peter the Great
Country: Russia
Years:
Achievements: Westernization, built Saint Petersburg, modern army, new industries, education, warm water port (Baltic Sea), extended borders, unified the nation, reduced power of nobility, gained control of Russian Orthodox Church, ruled for 29 years.
Downfalls: Did not reach Black Sea, killed many serfs in building projects, reforms died with him.

11. Suleiman the Magnificent
Country: Ottoman Empire
Years:
Achievements: Named Suleiman the Lawgiver, codified the law, freed prisoners, a patron of the arts, doubled the size of the Ottoman Empire, ruled for 46 years
Downfalls: high unemployment, lost the battle of Malta to Spain, his successes didn’t last – within 5 years of his death the empire was much smaller

12. Akbar the Great
Country: India
Years:
Achievements: Built & consolidated a vast empire, created a powerful army, promoted religious & cultural tolerance, fostered an appreciation for the arts, reduced military threats, ruled for 51 years.
Downfalls: Two of his sons died, one son rebelled against him, many of his religious & tolerance policies were reversed after his death.