1. EQ WHAT DOES THE WORD ABSOLUTE MEAN?
WHERE DOES THE POWER TO RULE COME FROM?
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?
WHAT IS THE WORST THAT A KING CAN DO TO A PERSON? THE POPE?

2. The Rise of Absolutism in Europe, 1500-1800

3. Absolutism:
The exercise of complete and unrestricted power of government

4. Absolute Monarch –
a king or queen who has unlimited power and seeks to control all aspects of society, economically, socially and politically.

5. Divine Right –
The idea that the power to rule comes from God. Monarchs are answerable only to God. The people cannot question the will of the monarch.

7. Causes of Absolutism Growth in trade Feudalism declined Rise of cities
Growth of national kingdoms
Growth of middle class
Decline in Church power
Rise of colonial holdings

8. Effects of Absolutism
Power of nobles reduced
Individual rights limited
Abuse of power & tyranny
A desire of the people to be free!!
The Enlightenment

9. Regroup What were the years during which absolutism was at its height?
What “ism” had to decline in order for absolutism to rise?
How could a king protect a city?
Upon which group would taxes be levied?

10. Examples of Absolute Monarchs
Philip II of Spain
Louis XIV of France
Peter the Great of Russia
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Maria Theresa of Austria
Charles I of England

11. Philip II of Spain
In 1556 Philip II becomes king of Spain, the wealthiest, most powerful nation in Europe
Much wealth comes from American colonies
339,000 lbs of gold in 1660

12. Philip II of Spain 1527-1598 Created 50,000 man army
Philip defended Roman Catholicism against Protestantism & Islam
Joined crusade against Ottomans in 1571

13. Philip II of Spain
Attacked Protestant England under Elizabeth I 1588 & lost
Loss severely weakened Spain
Spanish riches help stimulate a golden age in the arts

14. Golden Age of Spanish Art
16th & 17 century art
El Greco & Velazquez
Used warm, bright colors
Focused on religious themes & on monarchy
Cervantes wrote Don Quixote

15. Philip II of Spain

16. The Decline of the Spanish Empire
Such a thing as “too much money”
Increase in population led to increase in demand for food & goods
Prices necessarily go up
Too much silver in circulation made value drop

17. The Decline of the Spanish Empire
Inflation:
Value of money declines (too much of an item lowers the value)
Prices of goods & services increases

18. The Decline of the Spanish Empire
To offset inflation taxes should be raised
The less silver in circulation, the more the value will rise
Spanish nobles did not pay taxes
Poor never could gain wealth

19. The Decline of the Spanish Empire
Without gaining wealth, the poor stay poor
With just rich & poor, & no middle class, there will be few businesses & few chances to save the economy
Because of high prices, Spaniards bought their goods abroad

20. The Decline of the Spanish Empire
Spanish money was flowing into the hands of Spain’s enemies
Philip also spent too much trying to control the Protestant Netherlands

21. Regroup
What was one of the problems that led to the decline of the Spanish Empire?
What is inflation?
What was one of the great achievements of the Spanish Empire?

22. Louis XIV of France

23. The Thirty Years’ War
Religious tension in Europe led to creation of Protestant Union & Catholic League in
Spark of war came in 1618
Ferdinand of Austria tried to crush Protestants in Bohemia

24. The Thirty Years’ War Protestants revolted & war began
Two parts or phases to war
Hapsburg Triumphs & Hapsburg Defeats

25. The Thirty Years’ War Hapsburg Triumphs 1618 – 1630
Catholic Austrians & Spaniards crushed all
Catholic army allowed to abuse Germany as payment

26. The Thirty Years’ War Hapsburg Defeats 1630 - 1648
Protestant Swedes joined war in 1630 & tide started to turn
Catholic France joined on side of Protestants!!

27. The Thirty Years’ War France feared Hapsburgs more than Protestants
French Catholics sent to fight Austrian & Spanish Catholics
Wanted a strong France above all

28. The Thirty Years’ War Results: Germany wrecked after war
Population down
Economy destroyed

29. Thirty Years’ War Peace of Westphalia (1648)
Catholic Hapsburg states weakened
France gained German territory
New method of figuring out peace: everyone sits down to negotiate (less resentment)

30. Regroup What was the central issue of the Thirty Years’ War?
Where was the war fought primarily?
Why would the Catholic Cardinal Richelieu want to join with the Protestants in the war against Catholic Austria?

31. Central Vs. Western Europe

32. Frederick the Great
Known as “Great” because of the success of his reforms
Reformed agriculture (brought in crop rotation, the iron plough and crop rotation) and justice system (court of appeals & lessened bribing of judges)

33. Frederick the Great 1712-86 Tolerated almost all religions
Personally directed the economy for the benefit of the army
Maintained large army through heavy taxes on the citizens
Peasant education only for reading & writing– did not want them to know they were in a bad position

36. Frederick the Great

37. Maria Theresa of Austria (r.1740-80)
Fought War of Austrian Succession against Prussia
Increased taxes on nobility—why?
Strengthened central gov’t at expense of the local gov’ts
Taxed church heavily and confiscated church lands. Threw Jesuits out of Austria

38. Maria Theresa of Austria (r.1740-80)

39. Peter The Great of Russia (r. 1672-1725)