Age of Absolutism

Age of Absolutism – Time period where a series of European monarchs increased the power of their central governments. Absolute monarch – Kings or queens who believed that all power within their state’s boundaries rested in their hands. (Complete control!)

Characteristics of Absolute monarchies: 1. Centralization of power Controlled economic - political – religion 2. Concept of Divine Right to Rule – The belief that God created the monarchy; the monarch was His representative on earth and was therefore answerable ONLY to Him (not the monarch’s people). King

Absolute Monarchs: Louis XIV of France Frederick the Great of Prussia Peter the Great of Russia

Catherine de Medici –Grandmother to Louis XIII FRANCE (LOUIS XIV): Setting the stage for Absolutism: Religious conflicts/chaos Catherine de Medici –Grandmother to Louis XIII Huguenots vs. Catholics – fighting over religion St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre – over 2,000 Huguenots were killed in Paris by Catholics

Henry IV (Bourbon) – Protestant but converts to Roman Catholic “Paris is worth a mass” – only to unify France 1598 – Edict of Nantes – Huguenots could have religious freedom in certain cities in France –

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu 1. Reduced the power of the nobles 2. Centralized their government Allied with the Middle Class Got involved in the Thirty Years War *sided with the Protestant Princes

Thirty Year’s War Two reasons fought- 1. Conflict over religion and territory 2. Power among European ruling families Who fought? Holy Roman Empire & France, Sweden, Denmark, England, the United Provinces) When: 1618–48 Two phases: Phase 1 – HRE and Spain crushed the Protestants Phase 2 - France helps German Protestant princes (hated/feared Hapsburg power)

Peace of Westphalia Ended fighting over religion in Europe weakened Hapsburg power (Spain/Austria) strengthened France by getting German territory

Louis XIV ( and Cardinal Mazarin) France - most powerful country in Europe - a model for the rest Hatred of nobles - revolt against Mazarin because of taxes –

Centralized power in France by: Political - France divided into 32 districts – each with indendants to rule the district Under Louis XIV

Economic - Colbert: mercantilism / wants France to be self-sufficient Social - Versailles – built to awe the nobles and foreign powers / tighten control of the nobility

Weakened France – Louis’s wars * War of Spanish Succession *powers in Europe get together to keep France weak

Rise of Absolutism POLITICAL CONDITIONS ECONOMIC CONDITIONS - Inflation - Taxes (pay for wars) - Mercantilism - Capitalism POLITICAL CONDITIONS - Rise of wealthy yet powerless -Middle (merchant) class - Decline of Feudalism (rise of cities) SOCIAL/RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS - Rise of middle class - Europe under religious wars (Catholic vs. Protestants) - Break down of Roman Catholic Church Authority