1. Crisis and Absolutism in Europe 1550-1715

2. Monarchy
A system of governing through heredity leadership, headed by a king/queen or both.

3. Absolutism

4. What is Absolutism?
Absolutism is a system in which a ruler holds total power.
Tied to the idea of the divine right of kings
Rulers received their power from God and were only to answer to God

5. Scope of Power for Absolutists
Rulers could:
Make laws
Levy taxes
Administer justice
Control officials
Determine foreign policy

6. Europe’s Monarchies

7. Machiavelli’s Perfect Prince?
Machiavelli believed that a ruler must be stern, and feared over loved.
Rulers must always act in the best interest of the nation, not only morally.
Rulers must not fear becoming unpopular if the actions are justified.

8. Extending Spanish Power
Section 1

9. Charles V & the Hapsburgs
Spain was the first modern European nation
1519, Charles V became king of Spain & Hapsburg Empire (Germany & Netherlands)

10. Charles V’s Rule
Faced many difficulties in ruling 2 empires at the same time
Retired as king in 1556, Divided the empire into separate kingdoms with different rulers

12. Philip II Ruled Spain for 42 years, Devoted to running the government
Made himself and ABSOLUTE monarch
He had total and complete control over all aspects of running the nation

13. Philip II & Divine Right
He believed he ruled by DIVINE RIGHT God gave him the authority to be king
Focused on Religion:
Used the Inquisition to ensure Protestants were punished and Catholicism was enforced
Known as “most Catholic king” EVER

14. The Wars of Philip II
Fighting in the Netherlands over Protestant vs Catholic faiths
Attempted to invade England to punish Elizabeth I for problems caused in the Americas

15. Philip II’s Invasion of England
Philip II sent the powerful Spanish Armada (fleet of ships) to attack
A combination of weather and better English ships caused the Spanish fleet to be mostly destroyed

16. Philip II’s Problems and Legacy
Philip spent Spain’s treasury on colonial expansion, his palaces, spreading Catholicism but NOT on military.
Spanish power around the world began to lessen as a result.

17. Spain’s Golden Age
is called the Golden Age because of the support of art & literature
Painters: El Greco, Diego Velazquez
Writers: Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quixote)

20. Spain’s Economic Decline
No strong leaders after Philip II
Wars were expensive
Taxes and inflation were high
Skilled Jewish and Muslim artisans were forced out of Spain

21. The Kingdom of France
Section 2

22. French wars of religion

23. The Valois Family: The Beginning of the End
Henri II was the last powerful Valois
Three weak sons followed:
Francis II
Charles IX
Henri III

24. A Mothers Role? Catherine de Medici controlled the sons:
Was mother to the boys
Played both sides in the civil war
Developed a reputation for cruelty

25. Catherine de Medici

26. The French Civil War There were two sides:
Guise family led Catholics in North
Bourbon family led Huguenots in South
Fighting for the royal inheritance
Catherine supported the Guises in the first phase.

27. St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
August 24, 1572
20,000 Huguenots were killed
Henri of Navarre, a Bourbon, survived

28. The French Civil War
Catherine started supporting the Bourbons (Catholic League).
Henri of Navarre defeated Catholic League & becomes Henry IV of France.
Catholic League
CIVIL WAR
Protestant Union

29. Effects of Civil War: France was left divided by religion
Royal power had weakened
Valois family now replaced by Bourbons

30. Henry IV Rebuilds France
Religious tensions caused much violence
Henry IV attempted to please Protestants (Huguenots) and Catholics
Henry IV was a Huguenot but converted to Catholicism to appease majority
Issued the Edict of Nantes protected Protestant communities

31. Henry IV’s Government Changes
Improved justice system
Building projects roads, bridges, etc.
Reduced involvement of nobles in government
Henry IV is assassinated

32. Louis XIII
Takes the thrown just before his 9th birthday, son of Henry IV
His mother Marie mismanaged the empire on his behalf causing him to take over as a child.

33. Cardinal Richelieu
Unofficially ran the French government from for Louis XIII
Suppressed power of Huguenots and nobles by destroying their armies and castles
Gave nobles official positions to keep them loyal to the king

34. Louis XIV, The Sun King
Became king at age 5 (son of Louis XIII who took throne when his father died in 1643)
Used the sun as a symbol of his absolute power
Louis was supposed to appoint a regent to rule, but shocked everyone and rule alone.

35. Louis XIV’s Ruling Strategy
Louis XIV used the middle class to give important jobs (so they stayed loyal)
Collected taxes, built the army, etc.
French army became strongest in Europe

36. Louis XIV & Estates General
Estates General (French Parliament)
Never met and did not have a role in government
This makes the Estates General useless, just for show

37. French Economy Increased farmland and mining industries
Encouraged trade of luxury items
Taxed imported goods to take care of French craftsmen
Emphasis on trade with colonies overseas

38. Result? France became the richest European country
Louis XIV often needed more money to pay for extravagant lifestyle.

39. Versailles:
Home of the
"Sun King"

40. Versailles Palace
Massive Versailles palace was a symbol of Louis’s power and riches

41. L’ouis XIV

42. Versailles Statistics
3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed
26 acres of roof
51,210 square meters of floors
2,153 windows
700 rooms
67 staircases
6,000 paintings
1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings
2,100 sculptures
5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art
150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden
2,000 acres of grounds
12 miles of roads
27 miles of trellises
200,000 trees
210,000 flowers planted every year
80 miles of rows of trees
55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal
12 miles of enclosing walls
50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles
21 miles of water conduits

43. Louis XIII’s Old Chateau

44. Versailles Today

45. Palais de Versailles

46. Palais de Versailles

47. Versailles Palace, Park Side

48. Garden View of Versailles

49. Chateau de Versailles

50. Chateau de Versailles Gardens

51. The Orangery

52. Hall of Mirrors

53. The King’s Bed
The Queen’s Bed

54. Louis XIV’s Chapel

55. Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece

56. Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel

57. Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

58. Cabinet with Views of Versailles, 19c

59. Louis XIV Furniture

60. Louis’s Power
High ranking nobles were given prestigious jobs serving the king at Versailles
This kept the nobles under the king’s watch and limited any threat of them gaining power
Arts were encourage (plays, art, music, dance, etc.)

61. Louis’s Reign Ruled as king for 72 years
Monarchy defined by grossly overspending on court life

62. French Failures
Costly wars led other European countries to create alliances against France
Religious persecution against Protestant Huguenots—also hurt the economy as they were a majority of the middle class who paid taxes

63. French social class structure

64. The Thirty Years
War ( )

65. Spanish Habsburg lands German States
Spanish Habsburg lands
German States
Prussian Lands
Austrian Hapsburg lands

66. Characteristics of the Thirty Years War
The Holy Roman Empire was the battleground.
At the beginning  it was the Catholics vs. the Protestants.
At the end  it was Habsburg power that was threatened.
Resolved by the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.

67. The Peace of Westphalia (1648)
Political Provisions:
Each German prince became free from any kind of control by the Holy Roman Emperor.
The United Provinces [Dutch Neths.] became officially independent  southern part remained a Spanish possession.
France received most of the German-speaking province of Alsace *This will cause problems later!

68. Provisions Continued
Sweden  got lands in No. Ger. on the Baltic & Black Sea coasts; won a voice in the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire; Brandenburg got important territories on North Sea & in central Germany.
Switzerland became totally independent of the Holy Roman Emperor  Swiss Confederation.

69. The Peace of Westphalia (1648)
Religious Provisions:
Calvinists would have the same privileges as the Lutherans had in the Peace of Augsburg.
The ruler of each state could determine its official religion, BUT [except in the hereditary lands of the Habsburgs], he must permit freedom of private worship.

71. Nobody Was Happy! Many Protestants felt betrayed.
The pope denounced it.
Only merit  it ended the fighting in a war that became intolerable!
For the next few centuries, this war was blamed for everything that went wrong in Central Europe.

72. Triumph of Parliament in England

73. Queen Elizabeth I
Takes reigns in 1558 after death of Mary (Bloody Mary)
Dubbed “The Virgin Queen” because she refused to marry

74. Problems Elizabeth Inherited
The country was at war with France, drain on the royal treasury
Tension between Protestants & Catholics- Act of Supremacy & Act of Uniformity settled this
Famous for avoiding war by stirring trouble with enemies

75. Challenges to Power
She thwarted an invasion attempt by King Philip II of Spain’s armada
She eliminated a challenge to her power by her cousin Mary Queen of Scots – executed her

76. Problems in the Kingdom
country suffered from failed crops, unemployment and inflation. 
 riots over food shortages and rebellions in Ireland. 
One of her suitors betrayed her by leading a rebellion

77. The End of the Tudors Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603
Her death marked the end of the Tudor monarchy in England
Son of her biggest rival, Mary Stuart’s ascended to the throne as James I.

78. James I [r. 1603-1625] Wanted absolute power.
He quickly alienated a Parliament grown accustomed under the Tudors to act on the premise that monarch and Parliament TOGETHER ruled England as a “balance polity.” 78

79. James I [r ]
He alienated the Puritans by his strong defense of the Anglican Church.
Many of England’s gentry [mostly rich landowners below the level of the nobility] became Puritans.
These Puritan gentry formed an important and large part of the House of Commons.
It was NOT WISE to alienate them! 79

80. James I [r. 1603-1625] Problems he faced: Large royal debt.
He wasn’t English  he didn’t understand English customs [esp. English law!]
Believed in Divine Right of Kings.
Pro-Catholic sympathies.
Clashed with Parliament
He raised money without Parliament’s consent! 80

81. Gunpowder Plot, 1605
An attempt by some provincial Catholics to kill King James I and most of the Protestant aristocracy.
Blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.
Failed!
Guy Fawkes 81

82. Charles I [r. 1625-1649] 2nd son of James I
Pro-ceremonies and rituals.
Uniformity of church services imposed by a church court.
Anglican Book of Common Prayer for both England AND Scotland.
Seen as too pro-Catholic by the Puritans. 82

83. Charles I & Parliament Constantly at war with Spain and France.
Always need £, but how to get it??
Usually Parliament would give Charles £ from taxes to fund his wars.
Periodically, Parliament would deny funds.
In return, Charles would dissolve Parliament and try to rule England without it  find funds in other ways.
Forced “loans,” selling aristocratic titles, etc. 83

84. Ship Money Assessments, 1636 [per square mile]
A medieval tax for coastal cities for defense.
Charles applied them to inland counties as well.
This got him around the need to call Parliament into session. 84

85. The Petition of Rights, 1628
In return for money to fund his wars, Charles I agreed:
No imprisonment without due cause.
No taxation without Parliament’s consent.
No putting soldiers in private homes.
No martial law during peacetime.
Charles signed it, and then ignored it, dissolving Parliament!
Sound familiar at all? 85

86. The Civil War
( ) 86

87. Royalists (Cavaliers) Parliamentarians (Roundheads)
Civil War ( )
Royalists (Cavaliers)
Parliamentarians (Roundheads)
House of Lords
N & W England
Aristocracy
Large landowners
Church officials
More rural
House of Commons
S & E England
Puritans
Merchants
Townspeople
More urban 87

88. Oliver Cromwell [ ]
Officer of the Parliamentary army [cavalry]  the New Model Army.
Led the army that defeated royal forces and now controlled the government. 88

89. The Battle of Naseby [re-enactment], 1645
Charles I is defeated at Marston Moor, Naseby, and Preston.
He is handed over to Parliament. 89

90. Pride’s Purge, 1648
Cromwell purges the House of Commons of moderates [anyone who isn’t anti-monarchy].
The results is the “Rump” Parliament.

91. Regicide  Beheading of Charles I, 1649
The vote by the Rump Parliament was

92. The Puritan Commonwealth [1649-1653]
Cromwell rules with the Rump Parliament.
Constitutional Republic
Created a constitution  Instrument of Government
No monarch.
Europe is appalled  other nations don’t recognize it.
Cromwell Dissolves the “Rump” Parliament in 1653

93. The Protectorate [ ]
Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution.
Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with the support of the military.
Declares martial law; Military dictator.
Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], except for Catholics.
Crushes a rebellion in Scotland.
Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Ireland  kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!

94. The Protectorate [ ]
Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution.
Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with the support of the military.
Declares martial law; Military dictator.
Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], except for Catholics.
Crushes a rebellion in Scotland.
Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Ireland  kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!

95. King Charles II [r
Had charm, poise, & political skills [unlike his father!].
Restored the theaters and reopened the pubs and brothels closed during the Restoration.
Favored religious toleration.
Had secret Catholic sympathies.
Realized that he could not repeat the mistakes his father had made.

96. King Charles II [r
1661  “Cavalier” Parliament [filled with Royalists]
Disbanded the Puritan army.
Pardoned most Puritan rebels.
Restored the authority of the Church of England.

97. King Charles II [r
1662  Clarendon Code [Act of Uniformity]
All clergy & church officials had to conform to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
It forbade “non-conformists” to worship publicly, teach their faith, or attend English universities.

98. King Charles II [r. 1660-1685 1673  Test Act
Parliament excluded all but Anglicans from civilian and military positions. [to the Anglican gentry, the Puritans were considered “radicals” and the Catholics were seen as “traitors!”]

99. King Charles II [r. 1660-1685 1679  Habeas Corpus Act
Any unjustly imprisoned persons could obtain a writ of habeas corpus compelling the govt. to explain why he had lost his liberty.

100. King James II [r ]
Was a bigoted convert to Catholicism without any of Charles II’s shrewdness or ability to compromise.
Alienated even the Tories.
Provoked the revolution that
Charles II had succeeded in avoiding!

101. King James II [r ]
Introduced Catholics into the High Command of both the army and navy.
Camped a standing army a few miles outside of London.
Surrounded himself with Catholic advisors & attacked Anglican control of the universities.

102. King James II [r ]
Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Acts of Parliament.
1687  Declaration of Liberty of Conscience
He extended religious toleration without Parliament’s approval or support.

103. King James II [r ]
Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Acts of Parliament.
1687  Declaration of Liberty of Conscience
He extended religious toleration without Parliament’s approval or support.

104. The “Glorious” Revolution: 1688]
Whig & Tory leaders offered the throne jointly to James II’s daughter Mary [raised a Protestant] & her husband, William of Orange.
He was a vigorous enemy of Louis XIV.
He was seen as a champion of the Protestant cause.

105. English Bill of Rights [1689]
It settled all of the major issues between King & Parliament.
It served as a model for the U. S. Bill of Rights.
It also formed a base for the steady expansion of civil liberties in the 18c and early 19c in England.

106. English Bill of Rights [1689]
Main provisions:
The King could not suspend the operation of laws.
The King could not interfere with justice.
No taxes or army maintained in peacetime without Parliament’s consent.
Freedom of speech in Parliament.
Sessions of Parliament would be held frequently.

107. English Bill of Rights [1689]
Main provisions( Continued):
Subjects had the right of bail, petition, and freedom from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
The monarch must be a Protestant.
Freedom from arbitrary arrest.
Censorship of the press was dropped.
Religious toleration.

108. Rise of Austria & Prussia

109. Hapsburg Austria
Expanded Hapsburg Empire from Austria to include Bohemia, Hungary, Poland & Northern Italy
Empire was diverse– many cultures, languages, laws were different to unite, official religion=Catholic

110. Maria Theresa
Ruled the Empire despite difficulty in getting people to recognize that she was the ruler (because she was a woman)
Made government more efficient, lowered taxes for the poor, had support of the common people

111. Problems in Austria Never became highly centralized or absolutist
Too large of an empire
Ruler had a different title depending on where he was
No common patriotism to link the empire
Each area had its own laws and political life

112. The Rise of Prussia
Emerges as a Protestant power in 1600s in northern Germany
Strong Central government and very well trained military
Under Frederick the Great, Prussia added new lands from Austria

113. Frederick William the Great Elector
Ruling Strategies:
Maintained the 4th largest standing army in Europe (40,000 men)
General War Commissariat raised taxes to fund army and oversee expansion
Junkers (aristocracy) ran the bureaucracy

114. Absolute Monarchy in Russia

115. Peter the Great Russia czar /tsar (emperor) from 1689-1725
Interested in the advanced nations in Western Europe:
Began Russian policy of Westernization—adopting western ideas, technology, and culture.
Not all Russians accepted this change, Peter had to force reforms

116. Peter the Autocrat
Sought control of all aspects of Russia under his own control (military, church, government)
Forced landowning nobles (boyars) to serve in government or military jobs
Forced serfdom –peasants (called serfs) tied to land belonging to nobles could never leave land
Forced nobles to dress in Western styles
Brutally punished those who resisted

117. Peter the Reformer Imported western technology
Improved education system by establishing schools
Improved waterways/canals, manufacturing and trade
Ended separation of men and women by encouraging fancy parties

118. Expansion Under Peter Created the largest army in Europe
Wanted a warm-water port to have access to waterways/trade in the winter
Defeated Sweden in 1709, gained new lands
Built city of St. Petersburg– modern, European city built by serfs
Expanded across Siberia all the way to the Pacific Ocean—became largest country in the world.

119. Peter’s Legacy Russia is now more involved in European matters
Expanded land, built strong army
Used terror to rule, increase gap between rich and poor

120. Catherine the Great Ruled from 1762-1796 Capable leader:
Reorganized government to make more efficient
Rewrote Russian law code
Provided education to all children
Encouraged Western Ideas
Allowed nobles to govern serfs harshly, suppressed peasant revolts
Expanded the size of Russia

121. Looking Ahead
Four of Europe’s five leading powers were ruled by absolute monarchs by the mid-1700s Spain, France, Austria, Russia (NOT England)
Often fought each other for power
New ideas will soon change the ways of thinking across Europe