1. The Age of Absolutism in Europe 1600-1715

2. Europe in 1700

3. Absolutism in France
Louis XIV ( ) believed the monarch personified the state
Absolutism was created under Cardinal Mazarin who secularized France and fostered loyalty to the French state
Absolutism was the claim to rule by divine right. The greatest challenge to the throne came from the nobility. Monarchs created standing armies.

4. Reign of Louis XIV Used intendants to limit the power of the nobility
Mercantilism was used to increase the wealth of France
Jean Baptiste Colbert
Colonization
Canada
Built the Palace of Versailles to demonstrate his power and limit the power of the nobility

5. Palace of Versailles

6. Palace of Versailles

7. Versailles Grande Gallerie
Daily routines at Versailles were exploited by Louis XIV
The nobility competed against each other to perform menial tasks for the king

8. Versailles—Some Statistics
Modern cost: over $2,000,000,000
Annual upkeep took 25% of France’s income
Main building 500 yards long
Two wings: 150 yards long
2,000 rooms
15,000 acres of gardens with 1,400 fountains

9. Peter the Great
Ruled
Modernized Russia through Westernization
Expanded Russia to Pacific
Taxed his subjects heavily to pay for his projects

10. Russian Empire after PtG

11. Winter Palace in St. Petersburg

12. Philip II of Spain
Ruled Spain ( ) when the empire was at its height
Devout Catholic
Centralized royal power
Married Mary I of England
Invaded England with Spanish Armada in 1588

13. Frederick II of Prussia
Absolute ruler of Prussia ( )
Unified Prussia, part of the Holy Roman Empire, into one nation
Built on of Europe’s most powerful militaries
Supported the Enlightenment

14. Maria Theresa of Austria
Absolute monarch of Austria ( )
Enlightened Despot
Eased taxes and gave more rights to her subjects
Gave birth to 16 children while in power

15. 17th Century England James I (1603-1625) supported absolute rule
Charles I ( ) fought with Parliament over money for his wars with Spain
Dissolved Parliament in 1629 starting the English Civil War between supporters of Charles and supporters of Parliament led by Oliver Cromwell

16. Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell: Lord Protector – England
Ruled through the army instead of Parliament
Exiled Catholics to Ireland
Strict Puritan laws passed – theaters closed, Sunday set aside for worship, no lewd dancing, taverns or gambling
When Cromwell died, Restoration began.

17. The Restoration
Charles II ( ) learned the lessons of his predecessors – don’t mess with Parliament
James II ( ) was an unpopular king
Returned to Absolutism
Antagonized Parliament
Ran up a huge debt
Openly Catholic
Forced from throne in what came to be called the Glorious Revolution.

18. The Glorious Revolution (1688)
William of Orange, the Dutch monarch was asked by the English people to depose their king, James II
Parliament now reigned supreme
The Bill of Rights (1689) outlined the powers and rights of Parliament

19. English Bill of Rights of 1689
Guaranteed supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy
Monarchy could neither make nor suspend laws
Trial by jury reinstated
Affirmed “writ of habeas corpus” – no person can be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime. Due process of laws
Laid groundwork for American system of laws

20. Thomas Hobbes (1588 –1679) Man is inherently selfish and aggressive
Left on own, chaos and conflict would rule
Citizens need law and to follow a sovereign to avoid chaos

21. John Locke (1632 – 1704)
Believed that over time people would join together to benefit from cooperation
Through a Social Contract, sovereignty would remain with the people
Natural Rights—life, liberty, and property