Centralization of Power and the New Monarchs European Politics in the 15 th and 16 th Centuries

Growth of Central Governments Rise of “New Monarchs in France, Spain and England leads to centralization of political power. Rise of “New Monarchs in France, Spain and England leads to centralization of political power. Economic and Social changes reflected in the growing power of governments. Economic and Social changes reflected in the growing power of governments. Rulers encouraged trade, overseas expansion, to obtain taxes and revenues to further increase their power. Rulers encouraged trade, overseas expansion, to obtain taxes and revenues to further increase their power.

Valois France France is devastated by the effects of the Hundred Years War France is devastated by the effects of the Hundred Years War Louis XI (r ) consolidates power. Louis XI (r ) consolidates power. Makes war and kills the Duke of Burgundy, making the province under French control Makes war and kills the Duke of Burgundy, making the province under French control Used diplomacy to gain further lands (earns him the nickname “the Spider”) Used diplomacy to gain further lands (earns him the nickname “the Spider”) Charles VIII becomes involved the Italian Wars. Charles VIII becomes involved the Italian Wars.

Valois France – Gov’t Power System of Taxation put into place System of Taxation put into place Francis I gains control over the church; right to appoint bishops. Francis I gains control over the church; right to appoint bishops. Legalization of the sale of offices (provided revenue) Legalization of the sale of offices (provided revenue) Streamlined government procedures and efficiency. Streamlined government procedures and efficiency.

United Spain The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Sicily and Isabella of Castile united the Kingdom of Spain the 1479 after 10 years of civil war with nobles who opposed it. The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Sicily and Isabella of Castile united the Kingdom of Spain the 1479 after 10 years of civil war with nobles who opposed it. Worked to reduce the power of nobles in the court, favored the lesser nobility (hidalgo) Worked to reduce the power of nobles in the court, favored the lesser nobility (hidalgo) Gained control over military orders Gained control over military orders

United Spain Monarchy gained right to make appointments of bishops. Monarchy gained right to make appointments of bishops. Direct supervision over the judicial system Direct supervision over the judicial system Direct collection of taxes and other revenues Direct collection of taxes and other revenues Religious zeal and the desire to drive the remaining Muslims from Spain. Religious zeal and the desire to drive the remaining Muslims from Spain. Establishment and control of the Inquisition. Establishment and control of the Inquisition.

United Spain – Charles V Charles V (grandson of F & I) held the throne of Spain (and he overseas territories) and the throne of the HRE. Charles V (grandson of F & I) held the throne of Spain (and he overseas territories) and the throne of the HRE. Reoccurring crises kept Charles involved in the politics of the HRE and away from Spain. Reoccurring crises kept Charles involved in the politics of the HRE and away from Spain. He faced financial difficulties – only saved by New World treasure. He faced financial difficulties – only saved by New World treasure. Little changed in Spanish administration, but the New World empire continued to expand. Little changed in Spanish administration, but the New World empire continued to expand.

Tudor England Monarch’s power was balanced by Parliament and Common Law; allowed for uniformity across the land Monarch’s power was balanced by Parliament and Common Law; allowed for uniformity across the land Henry VII ( ) reestablishes royal control after the Wars of the Roses Henry VII ( ) reestablishes royal control after the Wars of the Roses Financial independence for the monarchy Financial independence for the monarchy Increase the power of Justices of the Peace. Increase the power of Justices of the Peace. Increase power and influence of royal council (the Star Chamber). Increase power and influence of royal council (the Star Chamber).

Tudor England Henry VIII Henry VIII Used Reformation Parliament to increase power of the king (while Parliament’s prestige increased as well.) Used Reformation Parliament to increase power of the king (while Parliament’s prestige increased as well.) Royal power increased through the leadership of Thomas Cromwell and the Privy Council Royal power increased through the leadership of Thomas Cromwell and the Privy Council Royal income rose with the appropriation of church fees and possession; selling of church lands to new landowners. Royal income rose with the appropriation of church fees and possession; selling of church lands to new landowners.

Tudor England Edward VI Edward VI Being a minor, the nobility attempted to take back more power. Being a minor, the nobility attempted to take back more power. Mary I Mary I In attempt to reestablish Catholicism, provoked revolts. In attempt to reestablish Catholicism, provoked revolts. Elizabeth I Elizabeth I Despite the political mistakes of her predecessors, Elizabeth made use of royal power established by her father and grandfather Despite the political mistakes of her predecessors, Elizabeth made use of royal power established by her father and grandfather

Fragmented States Holy Roman Empire – elected nature of emperor, strong princes, multi-ethnic. Holy Roman Empire – elected nature of emperor, strong princes, multi-ethnic. Italy – political fragmentation; papacy Italy – political fragmentation; papacy Hungary – nobles reassert control; multiethnic empire. Hungary – nobles reassert control; multiethnic empire. Poland – elected and weak king, strong Diet dominated by nobles. Poland – elected and weak king, strong Diet dominated by nobles. Ottoman Empire – multiethnic and multi-religious empire. Ottoman Empire – multiethnic and multi-religious empire.