1. Monarchs of Europe The Age of Absolutism (1550–1800)

2. Section One: France in the Age of Absolutism

3. Rebuilding France From the 1560s to the 1590s, religious wars between Huguenots (French Protestants) and the Catholic majority tore France apart. To protect Protestants, Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes, which granted Huguenots religious toleration and let them fortify their own towns and cities. Henry then set out to heal the shattered land. Under Henry, the government reached into every aspect of French life. By building the royal bureaucracy and reducing the power of the nobility, Henry laid the foundations for royal absolutism.

4. Louis XIV Became king of France in 1643 and ruled for 72 years – longest in French history Worked to make the king’s power absolute Built a huge palace at Versailles – strained French economy Believed in divine right of kings – God had chosen him to rule the nation Nicknamed the Sun King – power reached far and wide Did away with Edict of Nantes – wanted religious unity La Salle explored the Americas under Louis, and named Louisiana after him

5. How Did Louis XIV Strengthen Royal Power? The French army became the strongest in Europe. France became the wealthiest state in Europe. French culture, manners, and customs became the European standard. The arts flourished in France. Louis engaged in costly wars that had disastrous results – heavy strain on French treasury. Rival rulers joined forces to check French ambitions. Louis persecuted the Huguenots, causing 200,000 to flee France. Their departure was a huge blow to the French economy. SUCCESSESFAILURES

6. The Thirty Years’ War Began in 1618 in Prague Protestant rebellion against Holy Roman Empire France, Denmark, and Sweden wanted to weaken the Empire and its ruling family, the Habsburgs France stayed out of it directly – thus the other European countries weakened while France stayed strong Treaty ended war in 1648 France received territory along Rhine River Netherlands and Switzerland gained independence Empire and Habsburg family weakened

7. Europe After the Thirty Years’ War

8. Section Two: Russia in the Age of Absolutism

9. Isolation of Russia Russia had an Asian influence from past Mongol rule Western civilization reached Russia through Constantinople, not from Western Europe itself Thus Eastern Orthodox, not Roman Catholic or Protestant Used Cyrillic alphabet, not Roman Physically separated from Europe, and mostly landlocked

10. Peter the Great Czar Peter I, ruled from 1682 (age 10) until 1725 Believed Russia needed to become more like the rest of Europe Major goal was to end landlocked situation Disguised himself and traveled throughout western Europe

11. Peter the Great Peter the Great was committed to a policy of westernization in Russia. However, persuading Russians to change their way of life proved difficult. To impose his will, Peter became the most autocratic of Europe’s absolute monarchs.

12. Peter the Great During his reign he: forced the boyars, or landowning nobles, to serve the state. imported western technology and culture. insisted that the boyars shave their beards and wear western-style clothing. used autocratic methods to push through social and economic reforms. imposed policies which caused the spread of serfdom (nobles were granted large estates with thousands of serfs). brought all Russian institutions – even the Orthodox Church - under his control.

13. Expansion Under Peter Peter created the largest standing army in Europe and set out to extend Russian borders to the west and south. Peter unsuccessfully fought the Ottomans in an attempt to gain a warm-water port for Russia. Peter engaged in a long war with Sweden, and eventually won land along the Baltic Sea. On land won from Sweden, Peter built a magnificent new capital city, St. Petersburg.

14. Peter signed a treaty with Qing China which recognized Russia’s right to lands north of Manchuria. Peter hired a navigator to explore what became known as the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska.

15. Catherine the Great German princess Wife of Peter the Great’s grandson, Peter III Peter III was unpopular and murdered by nobles who supported Catherine Ruled from 1762 - 1796

16. Catherine the Great An efficient, energetic empress, who ruled in the tradition of absolute monarchs, Catherine: reorganized the provincial government, codified laws, and began state-sponsored education for boys and girls. embraced and encouraged Western ideas and culture. gained a warm-water port on the Black Sea. agreed to partition Poland and gained the eastern portion. granted special privileges to the boyars. allowed the boyars to increase their control of the peasants and repressed peasant rebellions (extended serfdom).

17. Expansion of Russia, 1689 – 1796

18. Section Three: Central Europe in the Age of Absolutism

19. Austria and Prussia Two great empires, Austria and Prussia, rose out of the ashes of the Thirty Years’ War. AUSTRIA The Habsburgs kept the title of Holy Roman Emperors and expanded their lands. Habsburg monarchs worked hard to unite the empire, which included peoples from many backgrounds and cultures – Belgians, Croatians, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Poles, Romanians, etc. Maria Theresa won popular support and strengthened Habsburg power by reorganizing the bureaucracy and improving tax collection. Geographic, cultural, and historical diversity made it difficult to rule effectively.

20. PRUSSIA The Hohenzollern family united their lands by taking over the states between them. Austria’s chief rival Hohenzollern kings set up an efficient central bureaucracy and reduced the independence of nobles. Frederick William I created one of the best armies in Europe. Called the “Great Elector” Improved tax system, agriculture, industry, and transportation Frederick II (Frederick the Great) used the army to strengthen Prussia.

21. Maintaining the Balance of Power By 1750, the great powers of Europe included Austria, Prussia, France, England, and Russia. These powers formed various alliances to maintain the balance of power. Though nations sometimes switched partners, two rivalries persisted: Prussia battled Austria for control of the German states. Britain and France competed for overseas empires.

22. The Seven Years’ War: 1756- 1763 Almost all of Europe became involved Fighting actually began in North America – French and Indian War Prussia supported by Great Britain Austria formed partnerships with France and Russia No clear winner Treaty of Paris gave most of France’s North American colonies to Britain Caused widespread destruction and loss of life in many parts of Europe, North America, and India Period of peace followed, but monarchs continued to look for ways to expand boundaries and get new wealth

23. Section Four: The English Monarchy

25. House of Tudor Late 1400s – Tudors became England’s rulers Tried to increase their power in England First Tudor king was Henry VII, then Henry VIII Edward VI (Henry VIII’s son) ruled only six years Mary I (Henry VIII’s daughter) took throne in 1553 – first reigning queen in England Mary was determined to make England Catholic again Married Philip II of Spain – led to outrage among the people! Nicknamed “Bloody Mary” – had more than 300 heretics (Protestants) burned at stake

26. Elizabeth I Mary’s Protestant half-sister (Henry VIII’s other daughter) Never married, no children Closest relative and heir was Mary Stuart – Mary Queen of Scots – she was Catholic – this horrified English Protestants (worried they would have a Catholic queen again) Elizabeth put Mary in prison Mary plotted with Philip II to kill Elizabeth (Philip II had been planning to force a Catholic queen on England) Elizabeth found out and ordered Mary beheaded This angered Philip II and he planned an invasion of England

27. Spanish Armada 1588 – Philip launched fleet of 130 ships toward England Called the Invincible Armada English ships smaller and swifter; guns could shoot faster and farther Storms, navigation errors, and lack of supplies worked against the Spanish Half of Armada made it back to Spain – Spain no longer a threat - thus Elizabeth’s Protestant rule was secure

28. Religious problems Some believed Henry VIII had not gone far enough when he broke with the pope Puritans – or Separatists – didn’t like the fact that the Church of England (Anglican Church) kept many Catholic practices Tudors saw this division as a threat to England Persecuted Catholics and non-Anglican Protestants, including Puritans – paid fines if they didn’t go to Anglican Church, etc.

29. Relations with Parliament Included representatives from the entire country Viewed as a check on power of monarchy Two houses: House of Lords – nobles and clergy House of Commons – gentry and burgesses Gentry were landowners with social position but no title Burgesses were merchants and professionals from towns and cities

30. James I Elizabeth had no heir King James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, became King James I of England in 1603 Thus England and Scotland came under rule of same monarch From Stuart family, not Tudors Strong supporter of Anglican Church Agreed to new Bible translation – King James Version Main opposition came from Parliament – made of many Puritans – thus could never collect enough taxes to pay for his programs

31. The Tudors and the Stuarts When he broke with the Roman Catholic Church or when he needed funds, Henry VIII consulted Parliament. Elizabeth both consulted and controlled Parliament. When he needed funds, James I dissolved Parliament and collected taxes on his own. Charles I ignored the Petition of Right, dissolved Parliament, and ruled the nation for 11 years without it. The Tudors believed in divine right, but also recognized the value of good relations with Parliament. The Stuarts believed in divine right and repeatedly clashed with Parliament.