1. 21 Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800
QUIT 21
CHAPTER
Absolute Monarchs
in Europe, 1500–1800
Chapter Overview
Time Line
MAP
SECTION 1
Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism
SECTION 2
France’s Ultimate Monarch
SECTION 3
Central European Monarchs Clash
SECTION 4
Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
SECTION 5
Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
Visual Summary

2. 21 Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800
HOME 21
CHAPTER
Absolute Monarchs
in Europe, 1500–1800
Chapter Overview
From 1500 to 1800, absolute monarchs rule in Europe. In countries such as Spain and France, rulers wield great power and build major monuments to their rule. In countries such as England and the Netherlands, constitutional law limits royal power.

3. 21 Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800 HOME Time Line 1500 1800
CHAPTER
Absolute Monarchs
in Europe, 1500–1800
Time Line
1533 Ivan the Terrible begins to rule Russia.
1643 Louis XIV begins to rule France.
1697 Peter the Great begins European tour. He later built St. Petersburg to rival European capitals.
1500
1800
1579 Netherlands declares independence from Spain.
1649 Puritans under Oliver Cromwell execute English King.
1756 Frederick the Great begins Seven Years’ War.

4. Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism Key Idea 1
HOME 1
Spain’s Empire and
European Absolutism
MAP
Key Idea
In the 1500s, Philip II of Spain becomes the strongest ruler in Europe, helping establish absolute monarchy. But in time Spain weakens, and the Netherlands breaks away from Spanish rule.
Overview
Assessment

5. Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism Overview 1 • Philip II
HOME 1
Spain’s Empire and
European Absolutism
MAP
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Philip II
• absolute monarch
• divine right
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
During a time of religious and economic instability, Philip II ruled Spain with a strong hand.
When faced with crises, many heads of government take on additional economic or political powers.
Assessment

6. Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism 1 1
HOME 1
Spain’s Empire and
European Absolutism
MAP
Section 1
Assessment
1. List the conditions that allowed European monarchs to gain power. Then list the ways they exercised their increased power.
Absolute Monarch
Rise of cities
Wealth of colonies
Growth of national kingdoms
Breakdown of Church authority
Growth of middle class
Decline of feudalism
Revolts
Economic and religious crises
Reduced power of nobles and representative bodies
Created new government bureaucracies
Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy
Increased size of court
continued . . .

7. Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism 1 1
HOME 1
Spain’s Empire and
European Absolutism
MAP
Section 1
Assessment
2. What does the art described in this section reveal about the cultures of Spain and the Netherlands? THINK ABOUT
• what the art of Velázquez and El Greco reveals about Spain
• what the art of Rembrandt and Vermeer reveals about the Netherlands
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• Velázquez showed pride of Spanish monarchs.
• El Greco showed Catholic faith in Spain.
• Rembrandt and Vermeer showed the importance of merchants, civic leaders, and the middle class in the Netherlands.
End of Section 1

8. France’s Ultimate Monarch Key Idea 2
HOME 2
France’s Ultimate
Monarch
Key Idea
Religious wars plague France in the 1500s. With the rise of Louis XIV, France becomes Europe’s most powerful nation. Louis’s rule extends French power and prestige, but he leads the country into crippling wars.
Overview
Assessment

9. France’s Ultimate Monarch Overview 2 • Edict of Nantes
HOME 2
France’s Ultimate
Monarch
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Edict of Nantes
• Cardinal Richelieu
• skepticism
• Louis XIV
• intendant
• Jean Baptiste Colbert
• War of the Spanish Succession
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
After a century of war and riots, France was ruled by Louis XIV, the most powerful monarch of his time.
Louis used his power to build a great palace and sponsor art that is part of France’s cultural legacy.
Assessment

10. France’s Ultimate Monarch 2 2
HOME 2
France’s Ultimate
Monarch
Section 2
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the major events of Louis XIV’s reign.
1643
1715
1661
1667
1672
1685
Louis becomes king.
Riots disrupt France.
Louis starts rule.
Louis invades the Spanish Netherlands.
Louis invades the Dutch Netherlands.
Louis voids Edict of Nantes.
Louis fights War of Spanish Succession.
Louis dies.
continued . . .

11. France’s Ultimate Monarch 2 2
HOME 2
France’s Ultimate
Monarch
Section 2
Assessment
2. Many historians think of Louis XIV as the perfect example of an absolute monarch. Do you agree? Explain why or why not. THINK ABOUT
• the description of an absolute monarch at the end of Section 1
• the ways in which Louis XIV fits that description
• any ways in which Louis XIV does not fit the description
ANSWER
Possible Response:
Yes—regulated worship by voiding Edict of Nantes, weakened nobility by using intendants and making nobles live at court, built palace to show power, used mercantilist policies to control economy
continued . . .

12. France’s Ultimate Monarch 2 2
HOME 2
France’s Ultimate
Monarch
Section 2
Assessment
3. How did the policies of Colbert and Louis XIV affect the French economy? Explain both positive and negative effects. THINK ABOUT
• Colbert’s attempts to make France self-sufficient
• what happened when Louis cancelled the Edict of Nantes
• the cost of Versailles and wars
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
Colbert’s mercantilism helped economy by building up and protecting French industries.
Louis XIV helped economy by using Colbert’s policies but hurt it by voiding Edict of Nantes, which drove out Huguenots, and by taxing and spending to fund building and wars.
End of Section 2

13. Central European Monarchs Clash Key Idea 3
HOME 3
Central European
Monarchs Clash
Key Idea
Central Europe also becomes the scene of devastating wars. The most destructive conflict, the Thirty Years’ War, severely weakens the Holy Roman Empire. Afterward, Austria and Prussia struggle for power.
Overview
Assessment

14. Central European Monarchs Clash Overview 3 • Thirty Years’ War
HOME 3
Central European
Monarchs Clash
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Thirty Years’ War
• Maria Theresa
• Frederick the Great
• Seven Years’ War
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
After a period of turmoil, absolute monarchs ruled Austria and the Germanic state of Prussia.
Prussia built a strong military tradition in Germany that contributed in part to world wars in the 20th century.
Assessment

15. Central European Monarchs Clash 3 3
HOME 3
Central European
Monarchs Clash
Section 3
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Compare Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great.
Points of Comparison
Maria Theresa
Frederick the Great
Years of reign
Foreign policy
Success in war
Steps to become absolute monarchs
Allied with former enemy France
Allied with Austria’s former ally Britain
Lost Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and did not regain it in Seven Years’ War
Gained Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and neither gained nor lost in Seven Years’ War
Imposed limits on nobility
Followed his father’s military policies
continued . . .

16. Central European Monarchs Clash 3 3
HOME 3
Central European
Monarchs Clash
Section 3
Assessment
2. Name several ways that the Peace of Westphalia laid the foundations of modern Europe. THINK ABOUT
• religious effects
• diplomatic effects
• political effects
ANSWER
• ended religious wars, allowing Europe to split into Catholic and Protestant areas
• weakened Holy Roman Empire
• recognized Europe as collection of independent states
• began modern way of negotiating
Possible Responses:
End of Section 3

17. Russian Czars Increase Power Key Idea 4
HOME 4
Russian Czars
Increase Power
GRAPH
Key Idea
Russian rulers begin to dominate the nobility in the 16th and 17th centuries. Under Peter the Great, Russia opens up to the West and becomes a key European power.
Overview
Assessment

18. Russian Czars Increase Power Overview 4 • Ivan the Terrible • boyars
HOME 4
Russian Czars
Increase Power
GRAPH
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Ivan the Terrible
• boyars
• Peter the Great
• westernization
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like western Europe.
Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture.
Assessment

19. Russian Czars Increase Power 4 4
HOME 4
Russian Czars
Increase Power
GRAPH
Section 4
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the important events of Peter the Great’s reign.
Peter the Great
Had St. Petersburg built
Visited western Europe
Took control of church
Fought Sweden for Baltic land
Reduced power of landowners
Modernized army
Tried to westernize Russia
continued . . .

20. Russian Czars Increase Power 4 4
HOME 4
Russian Czars
Increase Power
GRAPH
Section 4
Assessment
2. Do you think Ivan the Terrible or Peter the Great was more of an absolute monarch? Explain the standards by which you made your decision. THINK ABOUT
• ways that each increased the power of the Russian czar
• long term effects of each one’s rule
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
Ivan—Took title czar, which means “caesar”; expanded Russia; gave law code; organized his own police force; persecuted boyars; created new class of nobles. Aimed to increase and protect his own power more than to improve Russia.
Peter—Took control of church; reduced power of landowners; strengthened army; imposed heavy taxes; forced nobles to move to St. Petersburg. Made reforms whether people wanted them or not.
continued . . .

21. Russian Czars Increase Power 4 4
HOME 4
Russian Czars
Increase Power
GRAPH
Section 4
Assessment
3. Which of Peter the Great’s actions reveal that he saw himself as the highest authority in Russia? Explain.
THINK ABOUT
• steps he took to reduce the authority of others
• actions that overturned traditional sources of authority in Russia
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• showed he saw himself above church by taking control of it
• showed he saw himself above nobility by weakening it and forcing it to westernize
• showed he saw himself above tradition by forcing Western customs on Russia
End of Section 4

22. Parliament Limits the English Monarchy Key Idea 5
HOME 5
Parliament Limits the
English Monarchy
Key Idea
English kings battle Parliament for power in the 1600s, leading to civil war. Parliament wins, and a Puritan government is formed. The monarchy is later restored, but its power is limited by law.
Overview
Assessment

23. Parliament Limits the English Monarchy Overview 5 • Charles I
HOME 5
Parliament Limits the
English Monarchy
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Charles I
• English Civil War
• Oliver Cromwell
• Restoration
• habeas corpus
• Glorious Revolution
• constitutional monarchy
• cabinet
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Absolute rulers in England were overthrown, and Parliament gained power.
Many of the government reforms of this period contributed to the democratic tradition of the United States.
Assessment

24. Conflicts with Parliament
HOME 5
Parliament Limits the
English Monarchy
Section 5
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the causes of each monarch’s conflict with Parliament.
Monarch
Conflicts with Parliament
James I
Charles I
James II
Believed in divine right to rule
Wanted large funds to pay for court and wars
Did not make Puritan reforms
Wanted funds to finance wars
Tried to force all subjects to be Anglican
Resisted Parliament’s attempts to restrict his power
Flaunted his faith
Named Catholics to high office
continued . . .

25. Parliament Limits the English Monarchy 5 5
HOME 5
Parliament Limits the
English Monarchy
Section 5
Assessment
2. In your opinion, which decisions of Charles I made his conflict with Parliament worse? Explain.
THINK ABOUT
• decisions that lost him the support of Parliament
• decisions that lost him the support of his people
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• He alienated Parliament by dissolving it, ignoring Petition of Right, and trying to arrest Parliamentary leaders.
• He alienated his subjects by imposing fines and fees on them and trying to force them all to be Anglican.
End of Section 5