The Rise of Absolute Monarchies (1500’s-1700’s)

First things first… First things first… What is an Absolute Monarchy? What is an Absolute Monarchy? Absolute = All Powerful All Powerful Monarch = King or Queen Absolute Monarch= An all-powerful king or queen Also, kings and queens handed their power down to their children. It was a line of succession that stayed in the family

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchs They made all the laws They made all the laws They were NOT subject to the laws. They were NOT subject to the laws. It’s GREAT to be the King! “I am the state”

They Ruled by “Divine Right” They believed that they derived their right to rule directly from GOD. They believed that they derived their right to rule directly from GOD. Accountable only to GOD. Accountable only to GOD. Not the people! Not the people!

Accumulated Vast Sums of Wealth How…? How…? By seizing new territories in the New World and the Far East By seizing new territories in the New World and the Far East Expanding trade overseas and within Europe Expanding trade overseas and within Europe Taxing the growing wealth of their people Taxing the growing wealth of their people

They used their wealth to build LARGE, PERMANENT ARMIES! They used their wealth to build LARGE, PERMANENT ARMIES! No more need to depend on feudal contracts with their vassals No more need to depend on feudal contracts with their vassals These armies were loyal to the King, NOT to the Country! These armies were loyal to the King, NOT to the Country!

They used these armies to wage war against each other of course! NOW WHAT???

Absolute Monarchies and Divine Right Rule (1500s – 1700s) Long Term Causes 1. Decline of feudalism 2. Rise of cities and growth of middle class 3. Growth of nations/ kingdoms 4. Decline of Church’s power Immediate Causes 1. Religious and territorial conflicts 2. Buildup of armies 3. Need for increased taxes 4. Revolts by peasants and nobles

Absolute Monarchies Immediate Effects Immediate Effects 1. Regulation of religion and society 2. Huge building projects 3. Loss of power by nobility and legislatures Long Term Effects Long Term Effects 1. Revolution in France 2. Western European influence on France 3. English political reform that influences US democracy

The Monarchs Phillip II of Spain (1527 – 1598) Phillip II of Spain (1527 – 1598) Sought to expand Spanish influence – ruled Spain when the empire was at its height. Included the Spanish New World Sought to expand Spanish influence – ruled Spain when the empire was at its height. Included the Spanish New World Devout: tried to strengthen Catholic church Devout: tried to strengthen Catholic church Centralized royal power Centralized royal power Married Mary I of England – returned England to Catholicism Married Mary I of England – returned England to Catholicism Invaded England with Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I – He lost most of the Armada. Invaded England with Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I – He lost most of the Armada.

Queen Elizabeth I of England Daughter of Henry VIII Daughter of Henry VIII Ruled England during the height of the empire (Golden Age) Ruled England during the height of the empire (Golden Age) Kept Parliament on her side. Kept Parliament on her side. Suspected of supporting the protestants in England Suspected of supporting the protestants in England Stabilized the nation and expanded British territory. Stabilized the nation and expanded British territory. Died without an heir. Died without an heir. Country had to decide who would replace her. Country had to decide who would replace her.

Louis XIV of France  Called himself the Sun King Sun KingSun King  Believed in divine right.  “L’etat, c’est moi.” I am the state.  Made French army the strongest in Europe  France was the wealthiest country in Europe under Louis XIV  Louis XIV spent huge amounts of money  Built the palace at Versailles  War of Spanish Succession

Louis XIV’s Carriage

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

Versailles Today

Palais de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

Gardens at Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Gardens

Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

Hall of Mirrors

The Queen’s Bed The King’s Bed

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV Furniture

Frederick the Great of Prussia (1712 – 1786) Built up strength of Prussian army Built up strength of Prussian army Increased the territories of Prussia Increased the territories of Prussia Attacked Austria, sparking the War of Austrian Succession Attacked Austria, sparking the War of Austrian Succession Unified Prussia, part of the Holy Roman Empire, into one nation Unified Prussia, part of the Holy Roman Empire, into one nation

Maria Theresa of Austria (1717 – 1780)  Fought Frederick II of Prussia for control of Hungary and Silesia  Reorganized the government  Enlightened Despot  Enlightened Despot – form of government in which absolute monarchs encourage reforms based on the ideas of the enlightenment  Eased tax burden on her people  Gave more rights to her subjects  Gave birth to 16 children while in power  Including Marie Antoinette

Peter the Great of Russia (1672 – 1725) Goal was to westernize Russia. Forced powerful boyars to bow to his will. Goal was to westernize Russia. Forced powerful boyars to bow to his will. Built modern Western city for Russian capital – St. Petersburg. Built modern Western city for Russian capital – St. Petersburg. Spread serfdom. Spread serfdom. Studied Western technology. Worked in a shipyard Studied Western technology. Worked in a shipyard Extended Russian territory – to Pacific Ocean. Extended Russian territory – to Pacific Ocean. 1700: Fought Sweden for control of Baltic. Gained several Baltic ports 1700: Fought Sweden for control of Baltic. Gained several Baltic ports

Russia – Peter the Great From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

St. Petersburg – “The window on the sea”

Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 – 1796) Expanded size of Russia Expanded size of Russia Gained access to warm water port at the Black Sea Gained access to warm water port at the Black Sea “Enlightened Despot” pursued legal, social, and educational reforms inspired by the Enlightenment “Enlightened Despot” pursued legal, social, and educational reforms inspired by the Enlightenment

Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire (1494 – 1566) Expanded Ottoman Empire – Balkans, Mid-east and North Africa Expanded Ottoman Empire – Balkans, Mid-east and North Africa Captured Baghdad and became caliph of the Islamic World Captured Baghdad and became caliph of the Islamic World