ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

Monarchies before 1600 Rulers had a lot of power, but it was limited by: The Catholic Church The Catholic Church The power of nobles The power of nobles Small, disorganized kingdoms Small, disorganized kingdoms

Absolute Monarch Ruler (usually king / queen) who believed they ruled with complete power over their lands.

Absolute Monarchs Characteristics: Controlled all aspects of law, society, and even church. Controlled all aspects of law, society, and even church. Church’s power weakened by Reformation Centralized power Centralized power Little or no local authority

Absolute Monarchs Divine Right – rulers believed they were chosen to rule by God, and only answered to God.

Absolute Monarchs Effects: Positive – Helped countries grow and gain strength Positive – Helped countries grow and gain strength Negative – Restricted rights of individual people Negative – Restricted rights of individual people

Absolute Monarchs Louis XIV – France Frederick the Great – Prussia Peter the Great – Russia

Louis XIV France

France (Pre-Louis XIV) Reformation caused conflict between Catholics and French Protestants (Huguenots). Henry of Navarre rules France Henry of Navarre rules France Edict of Nantes – laws protecting Huguenots. Edict of Nantes – laws protecting Huguenots.

France (Pre-Louis XIV) Louis XIII is a very weak king Louis XIII is a very weak king Cardinal Richelieu basically runs France, and favors the Catholic Church. Promotes 30 Years War

Louis XIV

King of France ( ) “King” at age 5 “King” at age 5 Began actual rule at age 23 “Sun King” “Sun King” Louis is viewed as a blessing from God and the First Son of France.

Palace at Versailles

Versailles Louis XIV’s palace outside of Paris Symbolic of Louis’ power Symbolic of Louis’ power Roughly 2,000 rooms 1,400 fountains in the garden

Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors

Louis XIV Improvements under Louis: 1.Decreased power of nobles Kept them out of his council Kept them out of his council Had them live with him at his Palace of Versailles Had them live with him at his Palace of Versailles Basically as servants

Louis XIV 2. Increased power of intendents (local judges / tax payers) Appointed common people to positions of power Appointed common people to positions of power Figured he could trust them more than he could trust the nobles. Figured he could trust them more than he could trust the nobles.

Louis XIV 3. Expanded France In Europe and the colonies In Europe and the coloniesResults: France = largest, richest country in Western Europe at the time. France = largest, richest country in Western Europe at the time. Strongest military at the time. Strongest military at the time.

Louis XIV Louis’ downfall: Reversed Edict of Nantes Reversed Edict of Nantes Protestants left, taking skills with them Wars / expansion cost money Wars / expansion cost money War of Spanish Succession Spending on luxuries Spending on luxuries Palace at Versailles

Peter the Great Russia

Czar of Russia from Czar – “emperor” Czar – “emperor”

Russia (Pre-Peter) The Russian Orthodox Church had a great deal of power

Peter the Great Peter removes the leader of the Orthodox Church from power He replaces him with a group of leaders that would report to him

Peter the Great Strong leader Military experience Young and energetic Imposing physique

Peter the Great “Westernization” Tours western Europe in disguise for a year. Tours western Europe in disguise for a year. Brings western ideas home with him to help improve Russia Brings western ideas home with him to help improve Russia

Peter the Great “Westernization” Invited merchants, lawyers, military experts, shipbuilders, etc. to move to Russia Invited merchants, lawyers, military experts, shipbuilders, etc. to move to Russia Required his nobles (Boyars) to dress in western clothes and get western educations Required his nobles (Boyars) to dress in western clothes and get western educations

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Russian capital moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg Russian capital moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg

Peter the Great St. Petersburg closer to other European capitals closer to other European capitals Canal streets like Venice, Italy Canal streets like Venice, Italy The construction project created jobs for people The construction project created jobs for people

Peter the Great Military European experts rebuild the Russian army European experts rebuild the Russian army Builds Russia’s navy Builds Russia’s navy Tests his army in a war with Sweden ( ) Tests his army in a war with Sweden ( )

Peter the Great Improvements under Peter: Increased Russia’s land Increased Russia’s land Strengthened Russia’s military Strengthened Russia’s military Modernized Russian education and society Modernized Russian education and society“Westernization”

Peter the Great Peter’s problems: Often went to church drunk Often went to church drunk Had his servants compete in war games using live ammo Had his servants compete in war games using live ammo Thought his son was plotting against him, so he tortured and executed him. Thought his son was plotting against him, so he tortured and executed him.

Peter the Great Peter’s downfall: Abuse of power caused many people to dislike the czars and nobility Abuse of power caused many people to dislike the czars and nobility Westernization / war costs money Westernization / war costs money Imposed heavy taxes which caused serfs to revolt Imposed heavy taxes which caused serfs to revolt

Frederick the Great Prussia

King of Prussia (aka Frederick William II) from 1740 – 1786 Son of Frederick William I

Prussia (Pre-Frederick) Frederick William I Emphasized military strength Emphasized military strength Forced his son, Frederick the Great to study war instead of philosophy Forced his son, Frederick the Great to study war instead of philosophy

Prussia (Pre-Frederick) When Frederick the Great was a child, he and a friend disobeyed his father. When Frederick the Great was a child, he and a friend disobeyed his father. His father had his friend decapitated, and made young Frederick watch.

Frederick the Great Prussia was stuck between France, Austria, Russia & Sweden. Prussia needed a strong, militant leadership to survive.

Frederick the Great Trained, organized and equipped his army very well He would often personally lead them in battle

Frederick the Great Seven Years War (1756 – 1763) Frederick expanded Prussia’s land holdings Frederick expanded Prussia’s land holdings Fought France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony and Russia and won Fought France, Austria, Sweden, Saxony and Russia and won Only ally = England Only ally = England

Europe at the time of the Seven Years War

Frederick the Great Improvements under Frederick the Great: Strengthened Prussia’s military Strengthened Prussia’s military Increased Prussia’s land holdings Increased Prussia’s land holdings Opened schools for commoners Opened schools for commoners Supported religious tolerance Supported religious tolerance Welcomed Huguenots fleeing France

Frederick the Great

Frederick’s downfall: Prussia angered many of its neighbors Prussia angered many of its neighbors Expands their territory too much to easily defend Expands their territory too much to easily defend

Summary Quote “ Enlisted men should be more afraid of their commanding officers than of the enemy” – Frederick the Great