Crisis and Absolutism in Europe The Wars of Religion

Religious Wars w Mid-Late 1500s (16 th Century) w With the Reformation, Christianity breaks into different groups – groups don’t get along w Catholicism and Calvinism become militant w Win converts and eliminate other’s authority w Main battleground = France

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre w 1572 w Battle between Huguenots and Catholics w Huguenots massacred on wedding day of Henry of Navarre (in line to be king) who is Huguenot

Henry IV w Henry survives and eventually becomes king but only because… w He converts to Catholicism w Edict of Nantes (1598) – Catholicism official religion (Huguenots rights of worship)

Henry IV w Eventually stabbed for being too wishy- washy w But Henry and other monarchs begin gaining power as Catholic Church loses it

Spain w Philip II - “Most Catholic King” w Tries to expand Spain’s territory and spread Catholicism w Crushed Calvinism in Netherlands w Tried to attack Protestant England…

England w Elizabeth I in power w Repealed laws favoring Catholics w Religious tolerance – though moderate Protestantism ruled

Spanish Armada w Spain’s navy largest of its time w 1588 loses major battle to England (and a storm) w Beginning of end of Spain’s power

Spain weakens w Quick wealth from American colonies creates inflation w Buys more (from England and France) than they sell w Spain goes bankrupt

Thirty Years’ War ( ) w Ends Peace of Augsburg w Fought in Germany, Austria, Spain w Conflict over religion, territory, and power w Originally Catholic vs. Protestant w More on this later

Result of religious wars and crisis…

Absolutism in Europe w Theory of Absolutism Rulers want to be absolute monarchs (rulers with complete power) Believe in Divine Right of Kings (DROK) – idea that monarchs represent God on earth Decline of feudalism helps monarchs gain power Decline in church authority increases power Monarchs impose order by increasing own power

France

w Louis XIII w Son of Henry w Weak king, but had strong advisor w Advisor was Catholic Cardinal (Richelieu)

Cardinal Richelieu w Weakened Huguenots’ power w Wanted to make France strongest country in Europe puts France in 30 Year’s War

Louis XIV (The Sun King) w L’etat c’est Moi w I am the State w France is ruled by Richilieu’s successor Cardinal Mazarin until Louis takes full power (age 23)

Louis XIV w Hated the nobles (scared they would revolt) - weakens their power w Moved nobles into his palace w Ends 30 Years’ War (France becomes strongest country)

Versailles (Louis palace) w 500 cooks, waiters, servants w 4 men help him get dressed w Versailles cost 2 billion (current equivalency) 2,000 rooms 1,400 fountains

End of Louis XIV w People glad when he died w France has no money (spent it all on war) w Leads to French Revolution