Chapter 21 Themes

Power and Authority Age of Absolutism (Europe, 1500s-1700s): rulers such as France’s Louis XIV ruled with unlimited power, some claiming a “Divine Right to Rule” (that their power came from God); Czar Peter the Great I Russia was also an absolute monarch; England developed a constitutional (limited) monarchy; documents limiting royal authority included Magna Carta (1215), Petition of Right (1628) and Bill of Rights (1689) [Ch. 21]

Louis XIV ( )

Louis XIV’s Carriage

Leaders Louis XIV, France, Known as the “Sun King” Practiced Mercantilism – Finance minister Colbert encouraged establishment of colonies to benefit France (raw materials and markets); supported businesses with gov’t funds; high tariff on imports to protect home businesses Ended Edict of Nantes (1685) which had given allowed freedom of religion; 1000s of French Protestants (Huguenots) fled; “Brain Drain”

Louis XIV cont’d Weakened nobles by giving more power to intendants – gov’t officials who collected taxes and administered justice; required nobles to live in palace to control them Built massive army (hundreds of thousands of soldiers) with advanced training and weaponry Initial military victories gave way to defeats; France lost its North American territories in the War of the Spanish Succession, defeated by an alliance led by England ( ) Patron of the arts – supported art, music, literature, drama France set the standard for style in Europe Built lavish palace at Versailles

Louis XIV, Versailles Stats 2,000 acres of grounds 12 miles of roads 27 miles of trellises 200,000 trees 210,000 flowers planted every year 80 miles of rows of trees 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal 12 miles of enclosing walls 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles 21 miles of water conduits 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed 26 acres of roof 51,210 square meters of floors 2,153 windows 700 rooms 67 staircases 6,000 paintings 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings 2,100 sculptures 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden

Versailles Today

Palais de Versailles

Garden View of Versailles

Versailles

Gardens at Versailles

Grounds at Versailles

Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And Even More Fountains!!!

Hall of Mirrors

The Queen’s Bed The King’s Bed

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

Marie Antoinette’s Boudoir

Louis XIV, cont’d Legacy: increased power and prestige of France, but enormous spending on war created huge debt; peasants bore tax burden; religious intolerance led to loss of talented, skilled people [Ch. 21]

Peter the Great: Tyrant Reformer Ruled Russia from Leader most responsible for making Russia a European power Mongol rule ( ) had isolated Russia Main goal was to modernize and westernize Russia First czar to visit western Europe What he learned in France, England, and Netherlands convinced him that if Russia wanted to compete, it must adopt technology of West

Peter, cont’d Some change was symbolic (e.g., making men shave beards) “Play army” became Russia’s first standing army Founded Russia’s first navy used to fight the Ottoman Turks (late 1600s) Fought war with Sweden to win a warm- water port ( ); won territory along Baltic, used to build new capital

Peter, cont’d Forced 1000s of peasants to build new capital city, St. Petersburg; more died building city (disease, harsh climate) than in any battle Directed vast expansion in mining and manufacturing, especially weapons Increased number of schools, opened to non-nobles

Peter, cont’d Forbade any man from becoming officer w/o working way up through ranks; extended practice to civil service Huge increase in taxes to pay for war and projects Divided Russia into provinces and set up more efficient bureaucracy to govern them Legacy: Modernized Russia, but at tremendous cost to human rights

Revolution Glorious Revolution (England, 1689): King James II removed from power and Parliament offered throne to his daughter (Mary) and her husband (William); differed from overthrow of Charles I as it was basically peaceful (no execution of king) [Ch. 21]