1. The Age of Absolutism in Europe 16 th -18 th centuries

2. What is an absolute monarch? A king or queen with complete control of their country or empire. A king or queen with complete control of their country or empire. Note: If it’s someone with complete control who is not a king or a queen, he/she is called a dictator Note: If it’s someone with complete control who is not a king or a queen, he/she is called a dictator

3. Five European Absolute Monarchs and When They Reigned Philip II of Spain: 1556-1598 Philip II of Spain: 1556-1598 Louis XIV of France: 1642-1715 Louis XIV of France: 1642-1715 Maria Theresa of Austria: 1740- 1780 Maria Theresa of Austria: 1740- 1780 Frederick the Great of Prussia: 1740-1786 Frederick the Great of Prussia: 1740-1786 Peter the Great of Russia: 1689- 1725 Peter the Great of Russia: 1689- 1725

4. Philip II of Spain 1556-1598 42 years! Took control of Portugal and its territories in Africa, India, and the East Indies Took control of Portugal and its territories in Africa, India, and the East Indies Inherited the Spanish Empire in the Americas Inherited the Spanish Empire in the Americas For a time, Spain was the richest, most powerful nation in the world. Then… For a time, Spain was the richest, most powerful nation in the world. Then… Tried to invade England in 1588, they were defeated… Tried to invade England in 1588, they were defeated…

5. The Defeat of Spanish Armada In 1588 English Fire ships! England England had smaller, faster ships And the weather played a BIG part.

6. Louis XIV of France: 1642- 1715 73 years! Became King of France at the age of ……….5! Became King of France at the age of ……….5! –Govt. was controlled by Cardinal Mazarin. –Louis didn’t take control of govt. until he was 23.

7. Wanted to be called the “Sun King” Wanted to be called the “Sun King” Because as the planets revolve around the sun, so should everyone and everything in France revolve around him! Because as the planets revolve around the sun, so should everyone and everything in France revolve around him! The “Sun King”

8. The Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles Kept nobles out of his govt., but in his sight, at the Palace! Kept nobles out of his govt., but in his sight, at the Palace! –Over 25,000 people lived there!

9. Louis’s Legacy Spent lots of money on himself! Spent lots of money on himself! Fought three wars to increase the power of France Fought three wars to increase the power of France On his deathbed, his advice to his great-grandson, the next king: Don’t be like me! On his deathbed, his advice to his great-grandson, the next king: Don’t be like me!

10. Maria Theresa of Austria 1740-1780 : 40 years! Religiously intolerant Made education mandatory Fought Frederick the Great and the Prussians; lost Silisia Outlawed witch burning and torture Outlawed capital punishment Had decency police patrolling everywhere! And had time to have 16 kids! (11 daughters) with the same husband!

11. List of Children Maria Elisabeth: 1737-1740 died in childhood. Maria Elisabeth: 1737-1740 died in childhood. Maria Anna: 1738- 1789 died unmarried Maria Anna: 1738- 1789 died unmarried Maria Anna Maria Anna Maria Karolina: 1740- 1741 died in childhood. Maria Karolina: 1740- 1741 died in childhood. Joseph II: 1741-1790 married second cousin Joseph II: 1741-1790 married second cousin Joseph II Joseph II Maria Christina: 1742-1798 married second cousin Maria Christina: 1742-1798 married second cousin Maria Elisabeth: 1743-1808 died unmarried Maria Elisabeth: 1743-1808 died unmarried Charles Joseph: 1745- 1761 died of smallpox Charles Joseph: 1745- 1761 died of smallpox Maria Amalia: 1746- 1804 married Maria Amalia: 1746- 1804 married Leopold II (Holy Roman Emperor) 1747 -1792 married Leopold II (Holy Roman Emperor) 1747 -1792 married Leopold II Leopold II Maria Carolina 1748-1748 stillborn Maria Carolina 1748-1748 stillborn Maria Johanna Gabriela: 1750-1762 died of smallpox Maria Johanna Gabriela: 1750-1762 died of smallpox Maria Josepha:1751-1767 died of smallpox Maria Josepha:1751-1767 died of smallpox Maria Carolina:: 1752-1814 married Maria Carolina:: 1752-1814 married Ferdinand:: 1754-1806 married Ferdinand:: 1754-1806 married Maria Antonia: 1755- 1793 married Louis XVI of France and became the famous Queen Marie Antoinette Maria Antonia: 1755- 1793 married Louis XVI of France and became the famous Queen Marie AntoinetteLouis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France Maximilian Franz::1756- 1801 died unmarried Maximilian Franz::1756- 1801 died unmarried

12. Frederick the Great of Prussia 1740- 1786 - 46 years! (Prussia is NOT Russia!)

13. Some interesting facts about Frederick the Great Abused by and hated his father. Abused by and hated his father. Father said he was a “sissy.” Father said he was a “sissy.” Tried to run away with a friend Tried to run away with a friend Was caught. Was caught. Father furious. Father furious. Both thrown into prison. Both thrown into prison. Friend beheaded. Friend beheaded. Frederick had to watch! Frederick had to watch! Went temporarily insane Went temporarily insane

14. Emperor Frederick the Great When he became emperor.. When he became emperor.. Led his troops into battle after battle! Led his troops into battle after battle! Mostly against Austria and Maria Theresa. Mostly against Austria and Maria Theresa. Religious tolerance Religious tolerance Expansion of education and culture Expansion of education and culture Defended the plight of the poor Defended the plight of the poor Considered a strong ruler Considered a strong ruler Just what his father had hoped for! Just what his father had hoped for!

16. Peter the Great Born in 1672 Born in 1672 Ruled until 1696 with his retarded half brother Ruled until 1696 with his retarded half brother Began almost immediately to consolidate power and to increase his power Began almost immediately to consolidate power and to increase his power The Russian Church and the nobles, called Boyars, were two prime targets The Russian Church and the nobles, called Boyars, were two prime targets Major goal was the westernization of Russia Major goal was the westernization of Russia

17. Russia Before Peter the Great Russia lacked a warm-water or an ice- free port which hindered trade and communication with Europe Russia lacked a warm-water or an ice- free port which hindered trade and communication with Europe Geography prevented effective trade and exchange of ideas with the rest of Europe Geography prevented effective trade and exchange of ideas with the rest of Europe –Russia was not ready or able to receive the Renaissance and missed out –The need for a warm-water port or ice-free port was becoming even greater as time went on

18. Westernization & Modernization Peter needed to use European civilization to create a stronger Russian army that could stand up to the West as well as to obtain his “window on the West” Peter needed to use European civilization to create a stronger Russian army that could stand up to the West as well as to obtain his “window on the West” –Needed to defend against the Poles, Turks, & Swedes –Needed access to Black Sea as well as access to the Baltic Sea

20. Unlike Western Europe, serfdom still existed in Russia and was very widespread Unlike Western Europe, serfdom still existed in Russia and was very widespread –Serfs could be bought and sold like slaves –Serfs could even be killed without punishment for the killer!! –Without the free movement of people, the nation could not become more urbanized and then industrialized

21. Peter’s Reforms Peter had an inquisitive mind and began to study things like sailing with foreigners living in Moscow Peter had an inquisitive mind and began to study things like sailing with foreigners living in Moscow In 1697 Peter began his year-long “Grand Embassy” to Western Europe to learn as much as he could so he could strengthen Russia and her army In 1697 Peter began his year-long “Grand Embassy” to Western Europe to learn as much as he could so he could strengthen Russia and her army

22. The Grand Embassy took Peter to Holland, Venice & England The Grand Embassy took Peter to Holland, Venice & England –He visited almost every factory, museum & printing press he could to find out how Russia could do the same things –Peter hired hundreds of technicians to work in Russia to help strengthen Russia

23. Peter made the following changes to Russia once he returned to Russia: Peter made the following changes to Russia once he returned to Russia: – The Russian Church, which had opposed all learning and change came under Peter’s direct control –All non-serfs were required to serve the state in the government or in the military and nobility did not guarantee any high positions

24. –Peter created a professional army that was drilled by European soldiers with European weapons –Taxes were raised to pay for the army and taxes were put on items such as beards, land, inns, mills, leather, coffins, meat & the right to marry –Encouraged industrialization and provided government money for companies to start making products the army needed

25. –Eastern fashions were prohibited and men could not wear beards –A newspaper was created which helped to increase literacy and exchange ideas –Russians were sent abroad to study –A book of etiquette was published that encouraged Russians not to spit on the floor, scratch themselves or to wear hats indoors

26. –Peter built his new capital, St. Petersburg, on Swedish lands on the Baltic Sea and forced nobles to move there –His new capital provided the ice-free port that Russia had desired for so long