1. Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism
Powerful Spanish Empire
Following Charles V’s death, he leaves Holy Roman Empire and Austria to his brother Ferdinand and leaves Netherlands, Spain, and American colonies to his son Philip II
Philip II’s Empire
When the king of Portugal died in 1580, Philip assumed his territories(his nephew)land in Africa, India, and E. Indies
Spain found much wealth in precious metals, and the king (Philip) got a percentage of the profit.
This wealth allowed the Spanish to recruit an army of around 50,000 soldiers

2. Defender of Catholicism
When Philip takes over the throne, there were religious wars still rippling from the Reformation
Reconquista- campaign to drive Muslims out of Spain (64)
Philip thought it was his duty to protect Catholicism against Protestants and Muslims
On the pope’s orders, Philip II sends more than 200 Spanish Venetian ships to defeat the Ottoman Turks
In 1588, he sends a Spanish armada to England to punish Elizabeth and her people for supporting Protestantism
Philip II was very religious, and strongly supports Catholicism

3. Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature
The wealth Spain had allowed more than just military strength; monarchs and nobles were able to become patrons of the arts also
El Greco and Velazquez
El Greco (The Greek) was born in Crete, but grew up in Spain
His art was unique  clashing colors and distorted the human body. He also painted religious (Catholic) figures
Diego Velazquez painted the pride of the Spanish monarchy nearly 50 years after El Greco
Was the court painter of Philip IV
Also known for using brilliant colors

4. Don Quixote
Don Quixote de la Mancha was the first real European novel
His book discusses a Spanish man who went crazy after reading books about knighthood and chivalry

5. Spanish Empire Weakens
The gold coming from the America’s made Spain temporarily wealthy, but led to long term problems
Inflation and Taxes
caused by a growing population in Spain, and an increasing amount of silver flooding the market
Spain lost many artisans and businessmen because they were expelled (Muslims and Jews)
In addition, Spain’s nobles didn’t pay taxes causing the lower classes to bear it  led to no middle class because lower classes couldn’t start their own businesses

6. Making Spain’s Enemies Rich
Guilds still dominated business in Spain
These guilds kept Spanish goods expensive, so consumers found a cheaper source
In addition, Spain had to buy most of what they needed from England, France, and Netherlands  Spain’s wealth was dumped right into their enemies pockets
To finance wars, Spanish governments borrowed money from German and Italian bankers who were repaid in silver

7. The Dutch Revolt
Philip raised taxes on the middle class in the Netherlands
In response, Protestant (Calvanist) mobs swept through Catholic churches
In 1568, Philip sent an army to crush the rebellion and in one day killed 1,500 Protestant rebels
They fought for 11 more years, and in 1579 the Dutch princes declared their independence from Spain

8. Independent Dutch Proper
Different than the rest of Europe in that they: were religiously tolerant, were a republic rather than a kingdom
Dutch Art
Some of the best artists emerged in Europe emerged in the 1600’s, and many merchants sponsored these artists
Rembrandt van Rijn was the greatest of the period
He used contrasting light to draw attention to his focus
Painted the middle class (The Night Watch)
Jan Vermeer worked with contrast also
He painted women doing normal activities such as pouring milk from a jug or reading a letter
 these two artists symbolize how important merchants and the middle class were in 17th century Netherlands

9. Dutch Trading Empire
The Dutch stored grain they bought from Poland, and in times of famine in Europe they would sell this grain while prices were high
Had the largest maritime fleet (4,800 ships in 1636)
They created the Dutch East India Company, which benefitted from Asian spice trade, and Indian Ocean trade.
Dutch eventually replace Italians as the European bankers

10. Absoutism in Europe
While Philip lost his hold in the Netherlands, he was still a strong leader who controlled every aspect of the empire
The Theory of Absolutism
An absolute monarch is a king or a queen who holds ALL of the power within their territory
Absolute monarchs typically claim “divine right”
Growing Power of Europe’s Monarchs
Decline of feudalism, growth of cities, and growth of national kingdoms all helped centralize power
The growing middle classes began to support absolute monarchs because these monarchs promise stability in business

11. Crises Leads to Abolutism
Religious and territorial conflict led continuously to warfare
Governments had to build larger armies, which had to be funded by the lower class’s tax money
These economic pressures led to peasant unrest and revolt
To help contain the unrest, monarchs tried to expand their already immense power by ruling over everything
Absolute monarchs created bureaucracies to control their country’s economic life
Their goal was to free themselves from limitations that the nobility brings as well as rep. bodies like Parliament
leads to absolute monarchs such as Louis XIV of France

12. Reign of Louis XIV
Henry II dies in 1559, leaving power to 3 of his 4 sons. They prove incompetent, and his wife Catherine takes the throne. Under Catherine, France experiences religious wars between Huguenots and Catholics
Religious Wars and Struggles
1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in Paris– 6 weeks slaughter of Huguenots at Catherine’s daughter’s wedding
Henry of Navarre
Takes the throne in 1589 and is the first of the Bourbon family to rule the throne
Catholics opposed Henry IV
Henry IV converts to Catholicism, but allows the Huguenots to set up their own Protestant churches and live in peace  Edict of Nantes
Aimed to rebuild France economically
While many loved Henry for his religious toleration and strong leadership, one man stabbed Henry IV to death in 1610

13. Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu
Louis XIII takes over after his father’s death (Henry IV)
Was a weak king, but appoints a strong minister to compliment his own rule
Cardinal Richelieu tried to follow moral principles, but was ambitious and loved having power of France
Took two steps to increase Bourbon power:
Moved against the Huguenots (tear down walls)
Weakened the power of the nobles (down with castle walls)
Wanted to increase Bourbon power and decrease Hapsburg influence

14. Writers Turn to Skepticism
The ideas that nothing can ever be known for certain
Moved against the power of the Church
Montaigne and Descartes
Michel de Montaigne develops the “essay” (after the death of a friend) to express his thoughts and opinions
Argued that when a new belief arises, it replaces the old idea humans will never know truth because current values will be replaced in the future
Another French writer, Rene Descartes examines this question. Descartes created a philosophy that led to the scientific method, which would prove to be influential in the Enlightenment

15. Louis XIV Comes to Power
Took over the throne at 4 years old, and was the most powerful ruler in French history
Louis, the Boy King
When Louis XIV takes over, Cardinal Richelieu’s successor (Cardinal Mazarin) is the real ruler of France. He ended the Thirty Years War, but caused unrest among nobility by raising taxes. Louis was often threatened, and he never forgot it
The nobles’ rebellion against Louis XIV and Mazarin failed because: its leaders didn’t trust each other, Louis XIV’s government used violent repression, and the peasant class grew weary of fighting

16. Louis Weakens the Nobles’ Authority
Cardinal Mazarin dies in 1661, and Louis XIV takes over at 22
Weakened the noble class, and increased the power of intendants (gvmt officials who collect taxes)
Economic Authority
Louis XIV and his Minister of Finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert, sought to regain economic status in France
Colbert believed in mercantilism  export more than you import
Gave tax benefits to manufacturing companies, and placed high tariff on imported goods
Also stressed the occupation of French Canadian colonies for raw goods purposes (furs, spices, etc.)

17. After his death, Louis canceled the Edict of Nantes and slowed economic progress in France
In response, many Huguenots fled France which stripped France of skilled workers
Sun King’s Grand Style
Louis surrounded himself with luxury and exquisite feasts
Louis Controls the Nobility
Nobles waited by Louis’ bed to greet him in the morning and help him get dressed
This made the nobility dependent on Louis XIV, and also forced them to live in Versailles at the palace. By moving away from home, the intendants gained power in the countryside

18. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
Patron of the Arts
Versailles was a center of the arts
Louis was even interested in the arts, and supported them to the extend that Augustus did in Rome
The purpose was no longer to glorify God like in the Middle Ages, or to glorify the human body like in the Renaissance, but to glorify the King
Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
In 1660 and under Louis XIV, France was the strongest country in Europe with over 20 million people

19. Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries
In 1667 Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands, and gained 12 towns. Five years later he personally led French troops into the Dutch Netherlands. The Dutch ended the battles by flooding the countryside through opening the dikes. These battles ended with 1678 Treaty of Nijmegen
By 1680’s weaker nations had banded together in alliances to stop France from dominating all of Europe
France was weakened by poor harvests, taxes imposed by Louis XIV to finance the wars, and constant warfare
War of the Spanish Succession
In 1700 the Spanish king, Charles II, dies and gives the Spanish throne to Louis XIV’s 16 year old grandson, Philip of Anjou
Europeans were worried that the Bourbon dynasty would become too strong since they now ruled France and Spain
The long struggle by smaller European nations to keep France at bay is known as the War of the Spanish Succession

20. The war was dragged out until 1714, when the Treaty of Utrecht was signed which stated that Louis’ grandson could remain King of Spain so long as the two don’t merge
Out of these wars, Britain took Gibraltar from the Spanish and also gained access to the trading of enslaved Africans
Britain also gained Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from France
Louis’ Death and Legacy
Last years were more sad than glorious  the people were tired of the Sun King and his financial instability on France
He was a great leader who made France superior in art, literature, military, etc. but whom also collected economic debt and royal abuse of power
His heirs had to deal with his legacy, which would lead to revolution in 1789

21. Central European Monarchs Clash
Thirty Years War
Lutherans join forces with Protestants, and Catholics form the Catholic League  leads to warfare
Bohemian Protestant Revolt
Future HRE, Ferdinand II, was the head of the Hapsburg family
Catholics didn’t trust Ferdinand II because he was Catholic and begin to close some of the Protestant churches. Some Protestants revolted, and Ferdinand II sends in an army to put down the revolt
This began the Thirty Years War, which was a conflict over religion and territory: characterized by Hapsburg defeats and Hapsburg triumphs

22. Hapsburg Triumphs
The war lasted from
During the first 12 years of the war, Hapsburg armies crushed the Protestant troops
Ferdinand paid his army of 125,000 men which allowed them to stay loyal to the Catholic cause
Hapsburg Defeats
Protestant leader Gustavas Adolphus of Sweden fielded an army of 23,000 shifted the war in 1630.
Driving the Hapsburg Catholics outside of Germany, Gustavas was killed in Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin dominated the remaining years of the war

23. Peace of Westphalia
The war did great damage to Germany- population dropped from million
Trade and agriculture were disrupted, and their economies suffered for it  why Germany didn’t unify until 1800’s
The Peace of Westphalia ended the war (1648)
The treaty had these ramifications:
Weakened Hapsburg states of Spain and Austria
Strengthened France by awarding it German territory
Made German princes independent of HRE
Ended religious wars in Europe
Introduced a new method of settling disputes

24. States form in Central Europe
Beginning of Modern States
The treaty abandoned idea of Catholic Empire, and recognized Europe as a group of equal, independent nations. This was the most important result of the war
States form in Central Europe
Major powers of Central Europe were Poland, HRE, and Ottoman Empire
Economic Contrasts with the West
During the late middle ages, serfs moved from the manor to the towns and rose to the middle class. In central Europe, the aristocracy passed laws preventing serfs to gain freedom and move to cities.

25. Several Weak Empires
The landowning nobles in central Europe blocked the development of strong kings. Ex) Polish nobles limit the power of the Polish king
The two empires, Ottoman and HRE, were limited in power also due to their inability to further expand westward and the Thirty Years War
Austria Grows Stronger
One family, the Hapsburgs, took steps to become absolute monarchs
During the Thirty Years War, they captured Bohemia. Next, they centralized government and created an army. Lastly, the Hapsburg reclaimed Hungary from the Ottoman Empire.
In 1711, the Hapsburg ruler was Charles VI. He ruled over the Austrian, Hungarian, and Bohemian empires.

26. Maria Theresa Inherits the Austrian Throne
In order to ensure that Hapsburgs kept their rule over those lands, Charles VI persuaded other leaders of Europe to sign an agreement allowing Charles VI’s daughter to be the heir to the throne.
Maria Theresa was his daughter, and she faced years of war with Prussia once she took over.

27. Prussia Challenges Austria
The Hohenzollerns family ruled Austria, and they were as ambitious for power as the Hapsburgs
Rise of Prussia
In 1640, a twenty years old a Hohenzollern (Frederick William) inherited Brandenburg
The “Great Elector” created a standing army of 80,000 men, and funded this force through permanent taxation
The landowning nobility, Junkers, didn’t like the growing power of the kings. To appease the Junkers, Frederick William grants them officer positions in his army which created a very loyal, very organized military state.

28. Frederick the Great
Frederick worried that his son, also Frederick, wasn’t military minded enough to rule
The son, Frederick, loved philosophy, art, and music
In 1730, the son and a friend attempt to run away. The father, Frederick, orders his son to watch his friend be beheaded
The son becomes known as Frederick the Great, and uses that memory to be stern militaristic leader
He does, however, allow religious toleration and legal reform

29. War of the Austrian Succession
In 1740, Maria Theresa succeeded her father (5 months after Frederick II takes control of Prussia)
Frederick wanted Silesia, which is a territory just outside of Prussia
He didn’t think Maria was strong enough to protect her land, and sent in troops to occupy Silesia  this started the War of Austrian Succession (1740)
Maria Theresa seeks help from the British to aid the Austrians against the French and Prussians.
Although Maria Theresa stops Prussia’s aggression, Austria did lose Silesia in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)

30. Seven Years War
Maria Theresa allied Austria with France and Russia while Prussia allied themselves with Britain. Both Prussia and Austria switched allies, and for the first time Russia was involved in European conflict
In 1756 Frederick attacked the Austrian ally of Saxony. This started the Seven Years War, which did not change any territorial situations in Europe.
The British emerged as the real victors of the Seven Years War, France lost its American colonies, and Britain gained economic domination of India.  this paved the way for British expansion

31. Absolute Rulers of Russia
Ivan III (r ) did many things: conquered much of the territory around Moscow, liberated Russia from the Mongols, and centralized Russian government.
Ivan III was succeeded by his son Vasily, and eventually his grandson Ivan IV

32. The First Czar
Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) came to power in 1533
The boyars tried to control Ivan IV, but at 16 years old he had himself crowned “Czar”  first Russian czar
Married Anastasia, daughter of a boyar family
Years from are called Ivan’s “good years” because he won military battles, gained land, created Russian law, and ruled justly

33. Rule by Terror
Ivan’s “bad period” began in 1560 after his wife Anastasia died.
He believed groups of boyars poisoned his wife, and created his own police force to hunt down those responsible. They dressed in black and rode black horses
He killed many boyars and their families, and gave their land to a new noble class in return for loyalty to him
In 1581, he killed his oldest son who was the heir to the throne. This caused his weak second son to rule after he died

34. Rise of the Romanovs
Younger son proved mentally and physically incapable
time period after Ivan IV is known as “Time of Troubles” boyars struggled for more power, and heirs mysteriously died without explainable causes
In 1613, Russian representatives met to choose the next czar. They chose Michael Romanov, grandnephew of Ivan IV’s wife Anastasia begins the Romanov dynasty which ruled from

35. Peter the Great Comes to Power
Over time, the Romanovs restore order to Russia by putting down revolts and creating a new law code
In 1696, Peter the Great took the throne for himself (previously split between his brother and himself) and would become one of Russia’s greatest reformers
Russia Contrasts with Europe
When Peter came to power, Russia was still ran under feudalism with serfs and boyars
Russia prevented serfs from leaving the manor and becoming free
Religious differences widened the gap between Europe and Russia Russia adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity from Byzantines while Western Europe remained Catholic or Protestant.
Culture was different in general due to the fact that Mongol rule in Russia had isolated them from the Reformation and the Renaissance, and the seaport in Archangel was frozen most of the year.

36. Peter Visits the West
Peter believed in order to be stronger, Russia needed a warm-water port
In 1697, just a year after becoming czar, he began his “Grand Embassy” to gain ideas and innovations from Europeans  first time a czar had traveled amongst “heretics”

37. Peter Rules Absolutely
Peter returns from Europe and wants to adopt some of their culture in Russia  “westernization”
Peter’s Reforms
In order to make sure Russia witnessed change, Peter began transforming his power into an absolutist ruler
He brought the Russian Orthodox church under state control by creating the “Holy Synod” to steer the church in his direction
He reduced the power of landowners
He recruited men from low-ranking families and then promised them authority and land for their loyalty
He hired European officers to drill his soldiers on European tactics and weaponry. To pay for the army of 200,000 he raised taxes.

38. Westernizing Russia
To westernize Russia, Peter took these measures:
Introduced Potatoes, which became the staple of Russian diet
Started Russia’s first newspaper
Raised women’s status
Ordered nobles to trash their clothes and adopt western fashion
Advanced education in arts and sciences
He believed that education was the key to Russia’s progress

39. Establishing St. Petersburg
Peter fought Sweden to gain a piece of the Baltic Coast to ensure Russia a warm-water port
In 1703, Russian troops occupied a new city on Swedish lands and eventually called in St. Petersburg
Building on a swamp was hard work, and Peter required serfs to leave home every summer and come to work in St. Petersburg to keep the city thriving
25, ,000 died from disease and bad working conditions
In addition, he required many nobles to leave their homes in Moscow and move to St. Petersburg in order to settle the new capital
By his death in 1725, Peter had all but westernized Russia and helped Russia compete with Europe

40. Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
Queen Elizabeth of England battles with Parliament over $
The struggle between Parliament and the Queen was the main obstacle preventing absolutism
This would lead to many conflicts in the 17th century for England

41. Monarchs Defy the Parliament
Elizabeth had no children, so her cousin James (king of Scotland) inherited the English throne in 1603  England and Scotland shared a ruler
James’s Problems
He inherited the unsettled issues of Elizabeth’s reign
Worst struggles with Parliament were over $
He offended Puritans by not prohibiting Catholicism in England

42. Charles Fights Parliament
In 1625 James dies, and Charles I (his son) takes the throne
Charles constantly needed $ to fund his wars with Spain and France
When they denied, he dissolved Parliament
In 1628 he’s forced to call Parliament back into action. They deny him further money until he agrees to sign the Petition of Right, in which Charles agreed to four points:
He would not imprison subjects without due cause
He wouldn't levy taxes without Parliament’s consent
He wouldn’t house soldiers in private homes
He wouldn’t impose martial law in peacetime
This was important because it set the precedent that the law was even higher than the king  challenged absolute monarchy in England
In 1629 he again dissolved Parliament. To generate revenue he imposed fees and fines on the people, and his popularity declined year after year.

43. English Civil War
Charles offended Puritans by upholding Anglicanism
When trying to impose an Anglican prayer book on the Presbyterian Scots, the Scots rebelled and threatened to invade England
In order to generate money, Charles called Parliament back
This time, Parliament was out to oppose absolutism
War Topples a King
Parliament passes laws to limit Charles power. He then tries to have them arrested but they escape. The English people swarm Charles’s palace, forcing him to flee north to find supporters
English Civil War lasted from Royalists/Cavaliers vs. Roundheads

44. Originally, neither side got an advantage
Originally, neither side got an advantage. The Puritans find Oliver Cromwell to lead them, and in 1645 the tide of the war turned in favor of Puritans. King was held prisoner in 1647.
In 1649, Puritans brought Charles to trial for treason against Parliament. He’s found guilty, and executed
This was monumental because it’s the first time a reigning monarch had been publicly tried and executed
Cromwell’s Rule
In 1649, Cromwell abolishes the monarchy and est. a republican form of gvmt.
Cromwell immediately had to put down a rebellion in Ireland. He seized their lands and homes and gave them to English soldiers
Fighting, famine, and plague killed hundreds of thousands

45. Puritan Morality
Back in England, Cromwell and Puritans reform society
Made laws forbidding sinful activities (sports, theater, dancing)
While Cromwell was devout, he believed in religious toleration for all Christians that weren’t Catholic

46. Restoration and Revolution
After Cromwell’s death in 1658, his government was demolished and a new Parliament selected
In 1659, Parliament votes for older son of Charles I to rule
Charles II Reigns
Called the Restoration because he re-established the monarchy
During his reign, Parliament passes habeas corpus
Parliament debates who to succeed Charles II. With no male heir, Charles’s brother James is considered
James was Catholic, so the Whigs opposed him but the Tories supported him
These were the first English political parties

47. James II and the Glorious Revolution
Charles II died in 1685, and James took the throne
He offended his people by publicly displaying his Catholic faith
James II appointed Catholics to high office, which violated English law. He also dissolved Parliament for opposing
In 1688, James has a son and English Protestants grow weary that there will be a line of Catholic kings in England
James’s daughter Mary was married to William, Prince of the Netherlands. Both were Protestant, and Parliament invited them to overthrow James II in what becomes known as the Glorious Revolution

48. Limits on Monarch’s Power
William and Mary agree to recognize Parliament as their partner in governing  creates a constitutional monarchy rather than an absolute monarchy
Bill of Rights
To make royal limits on power clear, Parliament passed the Bill of Rights in They stated that the ruler could not:
Suspend Parliament’s laws
Levy taxes without permission of Parliament
Interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament
Penalize a citizen who petitions the king about grievances
William and Mary consented to all of these.

49. Cabinet System Develops
After 1688 there was political gridlock  Parliament had to consent to the monarch, and the monarch had to consent to the Parliament
During the 1700’s the idea of a “cabinet” emerged. The cabinet was a group of officials who served on behalf of the Parliament as well as the monarch
Under the cabinet system, the leader of the majority party in Parliament is the Prime Minister