1. Age of Absolutism

2. Philip II of Spain Defender of CatholicismDefender of Catholicism Arrogant, ambitiousArrogant, ambitious Great wealth from empireGreat wealth from empire –High inflation & taxes Large standing armyLarge standing army Spanish Armada  but defeated Spanish Armada  but defeated  Golden Age of Spanish cultureGolden Age of Spanish culture Escorial palace built to demonstrate his power & faithEscorial palace built to demonstrate his power & faith Golden Age of Spanish cultureGolden Age of Spanish culture “His smile and his dagger were very close.”

3. Escorial Palace

4. Louis XIV of France Saw self as head of Cath. Church in FranceSaw self as head of Cath. Church in France –Revoked Edict of Nantes The “Sun King”The “Sun King” –Supported the arts BUT arts were to glorify himself as ruler, promote absolutism Increased central powerIncreased central power –Closely watched over gov’t officials Weakened nobilityWeakened nobility –Required nobility to live in Versailles –Estates General never met “L’état,c’est moi.” (I am the state).

5. Louis XIV of France Needed large army for many warsNeeded large army for many wars –War of Spanish Succession  France rose to military leader –Strong empire Controlled the economyControlled the economy –High debt & taxation –Finance minister Jean Baptiste Colbert

6. Palace of Versailles Proof of Louis XIV’s absolute power

9. Frederick William I of Prussia Hohenzollern familyHohenzollern family Known as “the Great Elector”Known as “the Great Elector” Weakened nobility’s powerWeakened nobility’s power –Freed serfs –Purchased cooperation of Junkers (nobility in Prussia) Strong army to ensure safetyStrong army to ensure safety –Grew from 38,000 to 83,000 –Rigidly controlled, militaristic society –Mandatory military service Permanent annual taxPermanent annual tax Council of AdvisorsCouncil of Advisors

10. Frederick II (“the Great”) of Prussia Followed his father’s military policiesFollowed his father’s military policies Encouraged religious toleration & legal reformEncouraged religious toleration & legal reform Ruler should be like a father to his peopleRuler should be like a father to his people War of Austrian Succession v. Maria Theresa of AustriaWar of Austrian Succession v. Maria Theresa of Austria –Succeeded in getting Silesia –Prussia became major European power

11. Maria Theresa of Austria Of the Hapsburgs of AustriaOf the Hapsburgs of Austria Strong-willed  would not surrender power to husbandStrong-willed  would not surrender power to husband Decreased power of nobilityDecreased power of nobility –Limited amount of labor nobles could force peasants to do Expanded the armyExpanded the army –Doubled troops –War commissioner Economic reformsEconomic reforms –Created office to collect taxes Alliance with FrenchAlliance with French

12. Ivan IV (“the Terrible”) of Russia Seized power and crowned himself czarSeized power and crowned himself czar Wanted Russia to be “Third Rome” (hence “czar”)Wanted Russia to be “Third Rome” (hence “czar”) Turned against the boyars (nobility)Turned against the boyars (nobility) –Confiscated land –Organized own police force –Executed boyars, their families, & peasants Must serve in army to own landMust serve in army to own land Killed his oldest son during quarrelKilled his oldest son during quarrel

13. Peter I (“the Great”) of Russia Increased czar’s powerIncreased czar’s power –6’7”, obsessed w/war games Brought Russian Orthodox Church under state controlBrought Russian Orthodox Church under state control Reduced power of landownersReduced power of landowners –Forced boyars to serve in military or gov’t Modernized armyModernized army –Recruited men of lower-ranks –Talented foreigners Imposed heavy taxesImposed heavy taxes –80-85% of taxes went to war –Beard tax

14. Peter I (“the Great”) of Russia Westernized RussiaWesternized Russia –Potatoes –1 st newspaper –Raised women’s status –Western fashions –Advanced education

15. Peter I’s St. Petersburg Glorify himselfGlorify himself Forced nobility to live thereForced nobility to live there Sectioned by social statusSectioned by social status

16. Catherine II (“the Great”) of Russia Came to power by conspiring against husbandCame to power by conspiring against husband Her strong army crushed peasant rebellionHer strong army crushed peasant rebellion Gave nobles more power over serfsGave nobles more power over serfs Fought Turks for control of Black SeaFought Turks for control of Black Sea Expanded empireExpanded empire