Absolutism - the Reigns of King Louis XIV and Tsar Peter the Great SSWH14.A

Louis XIV “I am the state” Distrust of the noble class To limit their power, Louis excluded most nobles from his councils. The nobles had a new job…royal chamber servants Louis XIV

Nobles were no longer in charge of local government Nobles were no longer in charge of local government. That job was done by intendants. These intendants had to report back to Louis frequently. Many nobles were forced to live at court with Louis. Louis XIV

Versailles

Versailles

The construction of Versailles, combined with the cost of Louis’ lifestyle would leave France in a terrible amount of debt. Versailles

Louis’ Wars 1667 – Invasion of Spanish Netherlands France’s expansion made the rest of Europe very worried. England, Austria, Sweden, and Spain formed the League of Augsburg. 1700 – Spanish Succession Childless Charles II of Spain dies – Philip of Anjou is selected to take the Spanish throne. The problem with this is that Philip is Louis’ grandson. The rest of Europe couldn’t let the thrones of France and Spain join together. Louis’ Wars

The Results of Louis’ Reign As Louis came to the end of his life he began to regret the death and debt that he had brought to his people. About $21,000,000,000.00 in debt. France was set up as a military power. The stage was set for Absolutism. The Results of Louis’ Reign

Peter the Great 1696 – Peter I comes to power in Russia. Russia was still a society that followed the feudal model During the 1680s Peter goes on a tour of Western European nations. Peter the Great

Throughout his childhood, Peter studies the ways and the technologies of Western nations. Among his hobbies were sailing and meeting foreigners. Peter the Great

Peter’s Tour of the West Shortly after he took power in Russia, Peter went on a trip through Europe. Spent most of his time in England and the Dutch Republic studying ship building. When he returned he forced the Russian nobles dress and act more like people from the West. Peter’s Tour of the West

After returning from his tour, Peter goes to war against Charles XII of Sweden. When the war ended in 1721, Russia had gained control Baltic coastal lands. Peter begins the construction of his new port city, St. Petersburg. Great Northern War

The Westernization of Russia Established newspapers Increased the social status of women Established schools for science, navigation, math, and art Issued orders for certain citizens to go study in European nations The Westernization of Russia

Foreign visitors were often confused by Peter’s court Dwarfs, giants, and “human monsters” from Peter’s Cabinet of Curiosities Compulsory drinking binges with guards to stop any guest from leaving Parodies performed by Peter’s “All-mad, All-jesting, All-drunken assembly” He wanted to Westernize Russia, but his court confirmed what many Europeans already thought about Russian…They were barbaric. The Court of Peter I

The Down-side of Peter’s Reforms An increase in servitude A decline of Russian culture Many orthodox religious leaders thought the Peter was the Antichrist Western technology was introduced to Russian, but not Western freedom The Down-side of Peter’s Reforms