1. Absolute Monarchs in Europe 1500-1800
Chapter 21 Notes

2. Section 1: Spain Charles V: Hapsburg (German) and Spanish King
Devout Catholic who tried to stomp out Protestantism
His son Philip II inherited Spain as King he took over Portugal and all its colonial acquisitions around the globe
Monarchy claimed 1/5 –1/4 of all treasures of the colonies…supported large standing army
Philip continued in the belief of protecting the Catholic faith and saw the Ottoman Turks as enemies
1571 Pope called upon Catholic leaders to fight against Ottomans. The Catholic princes defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto in the Mediterranean Sea

3. Section 1: Spain Monarchs became patrons (supporters) of art
Severe inflation was a problem in Spain as a result of increased population, raising prices, and devaluation of bullion (gold and silver)
Tax burden fell to the poor
Guilds dominated Spanish markets making products more expensive…
than those of other states…foreigners got rich
Spain borrowed money for warfare from other states and used bullion to pay off debts
Spain declared bankruptcy three times during the reign of Philip II
Revolts in Netherlands over religion-Alba sent in (Spanish fury). N. Netherlands free

4. Section 1: Spain
Monarchs like Philip II felt they had the right to rule by way of divine right (idea that god created the monarchy and the monarch acted as God’s representative on earth)
These were absolute monarchs (believed all power rested in their hands)
Monarchs grew in power after the Middle Age because of the loss of power within the Catholic Church…monarchs quickly filled the vacuum of power in Europe

5. Section 2: France
1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: massacre of Huguenots started in Paris and spread throughout entire country
Killed due to the Catholic monarchy feeling there was too much Protestant control over government
Murders took place at the wedding of Henry of Navarre and Catherine’s daughter
Henry escaped and when Catharine's last son died he became the French King
Due to France being a Catholic state, Henry IV gave up his protestant religion and adopted Catholicism
1598 Edict of Nantes-first declaration of religious toleration in France
Brought stability to France

6. Section 2: The Sun King
Cardinal died in 1661 and Louis XIV took over the throne (23)
Decreased powers of nobles and increased those of government agents (intendants)
Finance minister: Jean Colbert believed in mercantilism (self-sufficiency)
1685 cancelled Edict of Nantes
Built the great palace of Versailles
Thirty Years’ War: religious warfare in Holy Roman Empire
France on side of the Protestants…didn’t want to be encircled by strong neighbors so secretly financed Sweden
Louis XIV became King in 1643, but was too young to rule. Regent: Cardinal Mazarin
Marzarin made France the strongest country

7. Section 2: The Sun King
Louis XIV wanted more lands and invaded the Spanish Netherlands, but other European nations made an alliance against the all powerful French
War of the Spanish Succession: 1700 childless King of Spain died –promised throne to Louis XIV’s 17 yr. old grandson (Philip)
Others European nations felt threatened by the Spanish-French state and decided to intervene
1713 Treaty of Utrecht signed, which ended the war and declared that Philip King of Spain so long as Spain and France were not united
Louis XIV died in 1715 realizing he had ruined France with his costly wars

9. Section 3: Monarchs Clash
Thirty Years’ War: future Holy Roman Emperor, Ferdinand II, ruled Bohemia /Czech and started closing Protestant Churches in those areas.
People revolted and dropped Catholic leaders out of windows and etc.
Kicked Ferdinand II out of power and Frederick took over
Thus began a war between Ferdinand II and Protestant
Thirty Years’ war
Ferdinand began war when Holy Roman Emperor died and he took over power. He started sending in troops to plunder German villages
Hapsburgs gained lots of lands/ victories under Ferdinand II
However, Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus enters the war and dramatically changes it

10. Section 3: Monarchs Clash
When Adolphus entered the war the Protestants started having victories
Eventually Protestants won the war
Peace of Westphalia: 1648 ended the war: weakened Hapsburgs, strengthened independence of German princes, ended religious wars, strengthened France, and started a new method of peace negotiations
War damaged Germany: population drop, trade and agriculture disrupted, and economy ruined
Powers in central Europe (Poland, holy Roman Empire, Ottomans) were weak
1740 War of Austrian succession: Maria Theresa v. Prussia (Fredrick the Great) over Silesia.
Silesia lost to Prussia

11. Section 4: Russia
Popcorn Reading
Newspaper Assignment

12. Section 5: England
1625 Charles I: needed money for wars against Spain and France and called upon Parliament for funds. Forced to sign the Petition of Rights in order to get the much needed money. Focus on aristocracy…ignored after he signed it.
Charles I also passed religious reforms in Scotland
Scottish rebelled
Problems existed between the absolute ruler and Parliament over key issue of money
Queen Elizabeth I caused much financial problems leading future Kings to ask Parliament for funds for things like wars. This led to a struggle for power between absolute monarchs and Parliament

13. Section 5: England
Oliver Cromwell emerged as the leader of the roundheads
Eventually roundheads won the war and Cromwell became a military dictator-1658
After Cromwell’s death his weak son tried to rule-disaster…a new Parliament was so after established and monarchy was brought back to England under Charles II (Charles I eldest son)
Charles wanted money to make sure the rebels did not invade England
1641 Parliament passed laws to limit royal power. Charles responded by trying to arrest members of Parliament
This struggle started the English Civil War
Cavaliers (supporters of monarchy) vs. roundheads (supporters of Parliament)

14. Section 5: England Charles II (restoration)
Charles II passed habeas corpus (monarch couldn’t just put someone in jail)
No heir-throne went to Charles II brother-James
1658 James II, a strong Catholic, came to the throne of England
Started to violate English law and appointed Catholics to important offices
James II kicked off of throne in favor of his protestant daughter : William and Mary (Glorious Revolution)
William and Mary signed Bill of Rights in 1689 which placed limits on royal power
England was now a constitutional monarchy where laws limited ruler’s power