1. Unit 8
Absolute Monarchs

2. Absolutism
Forceful single leader trying to control every aspect of society within their borders.
Monarchs start to claim authority to rule without limits.
Divine Right
Only answer to God.
No responsibility to subjects

3. Spain

4. Charles V Hapsburg Empire – German Family
Charles, a devout Catholic tried to force respect of papal authority.
Charles V gives up the throne
Too big for one to rule
divided between brother and son
Ferdinand I (brother)
Philip II (son)

5. Philip II Ruled from 1556-1598 Defends Catholicism
Spain became the most powerful nation in Europe.
Built new royal residence
Escorial Palace
Defends Catholicism
Religious wars all over Europe
Thought defending his religion part of his duty.

6. Philip II
Wars
Borrowed money from German and Italian bankers to finance
New shiploads of silver sent abroad to pay debts
Philip II declares Spain bankrupt three times during is reign
What do you think happened to their status as “most powerful European nation”?

7. End of Spain

8. France

9. Wars of Religion - In France
On and off from 1562 – 1598
Huguenots - French Protestants
Fight 8 religious wars with the Catholics

10. Henry of Navarre -> Henry IV
Becomes Henry IV as he inherits the throne.
Issues Edict of Nantes – 1598
Gave Huguenots freedom of worship and right to build churches in certain areas, and enforced religious toleration.

11. Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu – Chief Minister
Minister to Louis XIII who took more power away from the nobles and Huguenots.
Wanted to take their power and give it to the king.
Strengthened trade and industry.

12. Cardinal Richelieu Huguenots – believed to be dangerous
He wanted to prevent them from challenging power.
Huguenots lived in fortified cities that were like states within a state.
Why do you think people saw the Huguenots as a threat? A threat to what?
Believed they threatened the unity and stability of France
Richelieu gave intendants (monarchy’s representatives) authority in their own territory in France.

13. Thirty Years’ War 1618 Conflict over religion, territory and power
Started as a Protestant revolt in Prague against HRE
France stayed out of it for the most part, while the rest of European countries became weak from fighting.

14. Peace of Westphalia 1648 – Peace treaty ends war.
Had important consequences
Weakened Spain and Austria
Strengthened France – gained some German land - Alsace
Ended religious wars in Europe
Recognized Europe as independent states
All equal – Balance of Power

15. Louis XIV 1643 - Louis XIII dies
Louis XIV (son) - 5 years old – becomes King
Mother, Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin rule for him until he’s able
Mazarin dies - Louis is 23 - rules on his own
Ruled for 72 years
Frances’s most powerful ruler ever
Dominates Europe

16. Louis XIV - "The Sun King" Symbol was the sun
As the earth depends upon the sun for its existence, so did his subjects depend on him.
Divine right to rule, absolute power, representative from God.

17. Louis XIV and the Nobility
Had hundreds of nobility living at Versailles
Helped him dress
Hoping for his approval
Took them away from homes
Decreased their local power, increased Intendants power.

18. Versailles Royal Palace More like a royal city Rich decorations
Showed wealth and power.
Elaborate ceremonies
Center of culture
Opera became more popular than ballet
Purpose to glorify the king and his values

19. Versailles Guess the square footage of Versailles??
721,206 Square Feet

20. Colbert Economics Jean Baptiste Colbert - Minister of Finance
Believed in Mercantilism
Manufacture what you need, no imports.
Make country self-sufficient
Keep wealth within country.
Result: Economy prospered, even lower classes

21. After Colbert’s Death 1685 – Louis XIV Canceled Edict of Nantes
Ended religious toleration for Huguenots
Huguenots, to escape persecution, fled to England, Americas and the Dutch Netherlands.

22. War of the Spanish Succession
France had been weakened by poor harvests and constant warfare and increased taxes.
People wanted peace, got another war
European powers concerned about possible unification of France and Spain.
France and Spain vs. Europe

23. Louis’s Death and Legacy
Louis realized his wars had ruined France
Debt and abuses of power
Set up some colonies in U.S., Asia & India
Died in 1715
Royal authority starts to decline.

24. End France

25. Review 1 22 Points Who was known as the Sun King?
What was the name of the palace built for the king in France?
Name 2 things that resulted from Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s system of mercantilism.
Why did the French government see the Huguenots as a threat?
Who were the 2 sides of the War of the Spanish Succession between?
Who issued the Edict of Nantes? Who cancelled it?
What was the group called who were the representatives in the provinces of France?
Approximately how many square feet is Versailles? You need to be within 5,000 square feet to be correct.