1. BR 9/28
Should America be ruled by just one person? Why or why not? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?
Be ready to discuss your opinion!

2. Absolutism
Absolutism – the political belief that one ruler should hold all the power within the boundaries of a country
Absolute rulers led by divine right
Divine right – the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on Earth
An absolute monarch answers only to God and NOT to his or her subjects

3. Causes of Absolutism
Again the Catholic Church splitting and losing power in the Reformation left a leadership void in society
Religious and territorial conflicts created fear and uncertainty
The growth of armies to deal with conflicts caused rulers to raised taxes to pay troops
Heavy taxes led to additional unrest and peasant revolts

5. Effects of Absolutism
Rulers regulated religious worship and social gatherings to control the spread of ideas
Rulers increased the size of their courts to appear more powerful
Rulers created bureaucracies to control their countries’ economies
Supported the arts to show off their power and wealth by purchasing art and commissioning lavish entertainments (like opera and ballet)

6. Justifying Power Divine Right
Monarchs believed their power came from God.
God created the monarchy and the monarch acted as God’s representatives on earth.
Monarchs believed they only answered to God and not their subjects (people).

7. Philip’s Empire
He inherited Spain, Spanish Netherlands and the American colonies.
1580, Philip seized the Portuguese kingdom because he was the nephew of the king of Portugal.
Colonies supplied Spain with immense wealth.
Enough to pay a standing army of 50,000.

8. Defender of Catholicism
1571
Answering the Pope’s request, Philip sent troops to fight the Muslim, Ottoman Empire.
1554
Philip marries Mary I of England hoping to add to his empire, unite against the French and return England to Catholicism.
After Mary died, Philip offered himself to her sister, Elizabeth I. Elizabeth refused.
1588
Philip launched the Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I, a protestant Queen.
The Armada was defeated by England and weakened Spain.

9. Spanish Empire Weakens
Severe Inflation
Caused by
a growing population demanding goods and services
and a drop in the price of silver, value of money
Unfair tax system
Spain’s nobles did not have to pay taxes.
Tax burden fell on poor.
Spain never developed a middle class.

10. Spanish Empire Weakens
Dutch Revolt
Religious differences, many in the Spanish Netherlands were protestant Calvinists.
Philip raised taxes in Netherland territories to crush Protestantism.
Religious warfare between Catholics and Protestants takes hold in the Netherlands.
1579 – Protestant parts of Netherlands declared their independence from Spain.

11. Independent Dutch Differences with other European Countries
A Republic, not a kingdom
Each province elected a governor
Practiced religious tolerance
Established a trading Empire
1636 – had the largest fleet in Europe
Fleet helped the Dutch East India Company dominate the Asian Spice Trade and Indian Ocean.
Dutch gradually replace the Italians as the bankers of Europe.

12. And what happened to Philip?
Died a painful death in 1598 from sickness
Spain reached peak under his rule, but he was never able to defeat Protestantism or defeat the Dutch rebellion
Philippines named for him

13. Put away your notes for these… Exit Questions
What was Philip II known for defending?
Name two reasons why the Spanish Empire lost power.
From who did absolute monarchs think their power came from? (think divine right)