1. Absolutism - the Reigns of King Louis XIV and Tsar Peter the Great
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2. Louis XIV “I am the state” Distrust of the noble class
To limit their power, Louis excluded most nobles from his councils.
The nobles had a new job…royal chamber servants
Louis XIV

3. Nobles were no longer in charge of local government
Nobles were no longer in charge of local government. That job was done by intendants.
These intendants had to report back to Louis frequently.
Many nobles were forced to live at court with Louis.
Louis XIV

4. Versailles

5. Versailles

6. The construction of Versailles, combined with the cost of Louis’ lifestyle would leave France in a terrible amount of debt.
Versailles

7. Louis’ Wars 1667 – Invasion of Spanish Netherlands
France’s expansion made the rest of Europe very worried. England, Austria, Sweden, and Spain formed the League of Augsburg.
1700 – Spanish Succession
Childless Charles II of Spain dies – Philip of Anjou is selected to take the Spanish throne.
The problem with this is that Philip is Louis’ grandson. The rest of Europe couldn’t let the thrones of France and Spain join together.
Louis’ Wars

8. The Results of Louis’ Reign
As Louis came to the end of his life he began to regret the death and debt that he had brought to his people.
About $21,000,000, in debt.
France was set up as a military power.
The stage was set for Absolutism.
The Results of Louis’ Reign

9. Peter the Great 1696 – Peter I comes to power in Russia.
Russia was still a society that followed the feudal model
During the 1680s Peter goes on a tour of Western European nations.
Peter the Great

10. Throughout his childhood, Peter studies the ways and the technologies of Western nations.
Among his hobbies were sailing and meeting foreigners.
Peter the Great

11. Peter’s Tour of the West
Shortly after he took power in Russia, Peter went on a trip through Europe.
Spent most of his time in England and the Dutch Republic studying ship building.
When he returned he forced the Russian nobles dress and act more like people from the West.
Peter’s Tour of the West

12. After returning from his tour, Peter goes to war against Charles XII of Sweden.
When the war ended in 1721, Russia had gained control Baltic coastal lands.
Peter begins the construction of his new port city, St. Petersburg.
Great Northern War

13. The Westernization of Russia
Established newspapers
Increased the social status of women
Established schools for science, navigation, math, and art
Issued orders for certain citizens to go study in European nations
The Westernization of Russia

14. Foreign visitors were often confused by Peter’s court
Dwarfs, giants, and “human monsters” from Peter’s Cabinet of Curiosities
Compulsory drinking binges with guards to stop any guest from leaving
Parodies performed by Peter’s “All-mad, All-jesting, All-drunken assembly”
He wanted to Westernize Russia, but his court confirmed what many Europeans already thought about Russian…They were barbaric.
The Court of Peter I

15. The Down-side of Peter’s Reforms
An increase in servitude
A decline of Russian culture
Many orthodox religious leaders thought the Peter was the Antichrist
Western technology was introduced to Russian, but not Western freedom
The Down-side of Peter’s Reforms