Crisis in Europe Essential question: how did social, economic, and religious conflict lead to absolutism?

What is Absolutism? A term for a monarch holding total power over a nation An absolute monarch does not share any power with a legislature like Parliament or Congress They also claim divine right or that their power comes from God who chose them to rule over the nation

Spain’s Religious Conflicts Militant Catholicism King Philip II “The Most Catholic King” 1500: Spain expelled all Jews and Muslims Claimed Spain as Catholic Kingdom and declared allegiance to the Pope Nation chosen by God to save Catholic faith

Protestantism in England 1558: Elizabeth Tudor becomes Queen Leader of a Protestant movement once again in England Defeated her half sister Mary Queen of Scots who was a Catholic Established new “Act of Supremacy” Only supreme governor of church and state Politically tried to please everyone Always sided with the weaker country in the battle between France and Spain

The Spanish Armada 1588: Spanish Armada sent to invade England Wanted to bring the country back to Catholicism Completely unprepared and defeated Led to the downfall of Spanish control Country eventually went bankrupt https://vimeo.com/83530381

Religious Conflict in the Netherlands Calvinists and others resented the control of Philip II 1566-1609: War breaks out William the Silent led the Protestants (Calvinists) Eventual truce was reached for 12 year period Netherlands created own identity and established Republic with William as king

French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) The Huguenots French protestants 7% of population but 40-50% of nobility Henry IV (Huguenot leader) becomes king Converts to Catholicism 1598: Edict of Nantes Made Catholicism official religion of France Huguenots will be allowed to religious freedom to worship and enjoyed political privileges

Crises in Europe Inflation: Rapid Increase in prices Brought about by demand for more land and food by the “Merchant middle class” Goods from the new world flooded the market making things like gold less valuable Examples. Spain- Depended primarily on silver from mines and the deposits have become depleted Italy- Decline from time of Renaissance trading due to Age of Exploration making other nations rich

Crises in Europe Witchcraft Trials Witchcraft created fear for centuries Inquisition made fear of it even stronger 100,000 brought to trial, usually single women Thirty Years’ War (Treat of Westphalia) Political and Territorial Calvinists wanted to defeat Catholics and carve up Holy Roman Empire to create their own kingdom Kings from across Europe met and agreed on territory drawing it out on a map

Summary Answer the essential question in your own words using specific examples from the lesson: Essential question: how did social, economic, and religious conflict in Europe lead to absolutism?