Age of Absolutism

Absolute France and Louis the XIV

Louis XIV 1661-1750 Called Himself the Sun King The sun symbolized his role as the all-powerful center of the nation Claimed “I am the State” and claimed Divine right to rule Built a grand palace at Versailles that housed 10,000 nobles Purpose was to keep the nobles busy entertaining him and prevent them from exercising power.

Louis XIV Domestic Concerns French prestige and culture reached it’s peak. French language and culture was spoken all over Europe Centralized all powers Expanded mercantilism-acquisition of colonies and wealth(gold, silver) Revoked the Edict of Nantes( promoted religious tolerance) -French Protestants (Huguenots) Fled France -Turned Protestant European countries against France

Louis XIV Foreign Concerns Wished to Expand Frances borders in Europe and overseas. Did so with Four Wars.

Wars 1 and 2 Increased land size by winning land from Spain

Wars 3 and 4 War 3 was fought against Germany and did little to no good. War 4 was called the War of Spanish Succession and was fought to try to install his grandson as both King of France and Spain. Peace at Utrecht ended the war and stated Louis Grandson could only be king of Spain.

Louis XIV Dies Poor little Louie Left France as a strong centralized state yet weak from the cost of the wars.

Absolutism in Russia and Peter the Great Traveled through Europe in secret to learn western ways Goal: 1. End feudalism in Russia 2. Westernize/modernize the country and the military 3.Build a new capital further west to connect Russia with Europe-St. Petersburg 4. Gain a Warm Water Port

Peter the Great Westernized appearance-forced men to shave traditional beards Heavily taxed the people to pay for wars and mercantilism. Relied on terror to maintain power

Catherine The Great Wished to expand Russia and modernize the country Did little to improve the plight of the vast majority who were peasants. Supported the arts and culture.

Review What country was Louis the XIV king of? What did Louis XIV call himself? Why did he build such an enormous castle at Versailles? What were some of his domestic achievements? What were some of his foreign achievements? How did his four war affect the country? What Changes did Czar Peter the Great bring to Russia? What Changes did Czarina Catherine the Great bring to Russia?

Prussia and Frederick the Great

Achievements Expanded the small empire known as Prussia Seized territory from Austria Established religious tolerance for everyone except the Jews Attempted to gain independence for the Prussian Empire.

Absolutism in Austria Leopold I

Leopold I Vienna became the cultural center of Europe Defeated the Turks after a long struggle with them. Leopold and his descendents added to the territory of Austria.

Joseph II

Joseph II Made German the official language in Austria Religious tolerance was granted to everyone Anti-semitism increases Centralized the government with the King based on the French model Limited the power of the catholic church Abolished serfdom and the peasant class, peasants were granted land

Absolute Rulers

England- Limiting Absolutism James I 1566-1625

King James Version

James I Claimed divine right to rule England The strength of Parliament limited his power James and Parliament fought over two issues Who has the final authority Religious Dissent James wanted conformity to the church of England He threatened to drive out the Puritans Banished Catholic Priests

Charles I Similar to his father Charles claimed divine right to rule as well. During his rule thousands of Puritans fled to America. During his rule Parliament forced him to sign the Petition of Rights. -Restricted the ability of the king to tax without Parliaments consent -Limited the power of the monarch.

Charles the I and Civil War Charles attempted to arrest 5 members of Parliament Soldiers loyal to Charles were Cavaliers Soldiers consisted mostly of Anglicans

Cavaliers Anglicans Wealthy Nobles Landowners

Roundheads Supported Parliament Puritans Middle Class. Called roundheads because of their short haircuts

England and Oliver Cromwell

The Commonwealth Oliver Cromwell referred to England under his control as the Commonwealth. In reality it was Cromwell and his military ruling England Cromwell Dissolved Parliament and declared himself “Protectorate” Upon Cromwell’s death his son Richard resigned after nine months and turned England back over to a newly formed Parliament.

Charles II Parliament restored Charles II as King Struggle between Parliament and King continued.

The Glorious Revolution After Charles death Charles brother James II ruled England James II attempted to restore Catholicism and absolute Rule James’ first wife, Mary, and her husband William were asked by Parliament to rule England. William and Mary led 16,000 troops to London and James II fled to France.

James II

William and Mary

Glorious Revolution ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 The Glorious Revolution ended all claims of Absolutism in England. ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 Listed all laws the ruler had to Obey No taxation without Parliamentary approval Members of Parliament had free speech which could not be taken from them

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

FOREVER MORE PARLIAMENT HAD THE MOST POWER IN ENGLAND FOREVER MORE PARLIAMENT HAD THE MOST POWER IN ENGLAND. THE ABSOLUTE MONARCHY BECAME A LIMITED MONARCHY

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