Absolute Monarchs in Spain & France Preview: Imagine that you are a monarch in an imaginary country. Write a proclamation to your subjects explaining your ideas for governing AND discuss your expectations for them as your subjects Read what you wrote—are you an absolute monarch or a limited king?

The Age of Absolutism Spain and Philip II

The Rise of Philip II of Spain Ferdinand & Isabella’s grandson, Charles V, divided the Hapsburg territories into two separate kingdoms in 1555: Spain & Austria Through treaty & arranged marriages, the Hapsburgs took control of the Netherlands, Austria, parts of Italy, & were always named Holy Roman Emperor The Hapsburgs became powerful under Ferdinand & Isabella who encouraged overseas exploration of the Americas Charles V’s son, Philip II, became king of Spain in 1556 Philip II was born into the Hapsburg Dynasty the most powerful royal family in Europe Their grandson, Charles V, Lands in Spanish Empire were too large so Charles V divided Hapsburg territory into 2 empires: Ferdinand (Charles V’s brother)—received Holy Roman Empire (Austria) Philip II (Charles V’s son)—received Spain & American territories; became the most powerful monarch in Spanish history

Philip as an Absolute Monarch Philip II controlled every aspect of governing the Spanish Empire: He was hard working but never accepted help from anyone He never trusted any of his advisors (“His smile & his dagger were very close”)

Philip’s Accomplishments As king, Philip controlled Spain, the Netherlands, & colonies in America but Philip took Portugal & its colonies in Africa & India too This brought Spain great wealth, which Philip used to build a strong army & the Spanish armada Philip used his navy to defend Catholicism against English Protestants & Ottoman Muslims

Spanish Armada unsuccessfully attacked Protestant England

Catholic Fleets Successfully Defended the Mediterranean Sea from Ottoman Muslims in the Battle of Lepanto

The Spanish Golden Age of Art Under Philip, Spain entered its golden age from 1550 to 1650: Huge supplies of gold & silver made Spain Europe’s most powerful country (mercantilism) Artists like Diego Velázquez & El Greco showed devotion to Catholicism & their king Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, the 1st modern European novel

Philip’s Palace: El Escorial

The Decline of Spain Despite his leadership, Spain declined during Philip’s rule The influx of gold led to massive inflation & prices soared; Spain did not manufacture anything to sell to it bought all of its goods from other countries The Netherlands broke away from Spain in 1579 In-breeding ended the Hapsburg Dynasty in 1700 This is Charles II, the last Hapsburg king of Spain (read story of Charles’ deformities)

The Age of Absolutism France & Louis XIV

The Rise of Louis XIV of France Before Louis XIV was king, France was deeply divided between Catholics & French Protestants called Huguenots Henry was assassinated in 1610 & his son Louis XIII became king but he was too young so Catholic Cardinal Richelieu ruled for him In 1572, Catholics led the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of hundreds of Huguenots but failed to assassinate Henry IV who was next in line to be king Louis XIV was born into the Bourbon Dynasty in France Henry IV was the 1st Bourbon king; He issued the Edict of Nantes allowing religious toleration in France Cardinal Richelieu strengthened power of the French king by reducing the power of the nobles & Huguenots By the time Louis XIII died & his son Louis XIV became king, Richelieu had created an absolute monarchy in France

Louis as an Absolute Monarch Louis XIV believed that he was the government, “L’etat c’est moi” Louis weakened the power of the nobles by excluding them from his councils He hired loyal bureaucrats to collect taxes & enforce his laws; He made sure they communicated with him often He called himself the Sun King

Louis XIV’s Accomplishments Louis hired Jean Baptiste Colbert to oversee the French economy: Colbert promoted manufacturing to make France self-sufficient He encouraged colonization & settlement in Canada He created one of the most powerful armies in Europe Fronde---versailles

France’s Golden Age Louis promoted art not to glorify God or human potential, but to glorify himself Playwrights like Molière wrote comedies Opera and ballet became popular Architecture promoted the wealth of France

Louis XIV’s Palace: Versailles

The Growth of France From 1667 to the 1680s, Louis engaged France in wars to expand his territory In 1700, Charles II of Spain died without an heir & Louis XIV tried to unify Spain & France; Other European nations fought the War of Spanish Succession to keep a balance of power in Europe

Comparing Philip & Louis