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Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Absolute Monarchs in Europe. Chapter Five. What is absolutism?. Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger Monarchs ruled with absolute power Divine Right Theory Idea that God had chosen the monarch to rule Everyone believes the theory during this period

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Absolute Monarchs in Europe

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  1. Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter Five

  2. What is absolutism? • Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got stronger • Monarchs ruled with absolute power • Divine Right Theory • Idea that God had chosen the monarch to rule • Everyone believes the theory during this period • If you question the king, you question God

  3. Europe During the Age of Absolutism

  4. Strengths of Absolute Monarchies • Efficiency • Decisions are made by one person • Nationalism • Promoted a common culture and identity • Stability • The ruler stays in power until death • Wealth • No resistance means a large and powerful empire

  5. Weaknesses of Absolute Monarchies • Undemocratic • No collaboration of ideas • Individual rights • Often violated • Stability • If the ruler was poor, it could affect the country for decades

  6. How to achieve more power? • Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways: • Raising taxes • Increased their overall wealth and treasuries • Waging war • Victory often led to riches

  7. Absolute Monarchy in France • Religious Wars and Power Struggles • Henry of Navarre-converted to Catholicism • Survived the 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (of Huguenots) • Edict of Nantes (1598) • Henry’s declaration of religious toleration • Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in peace Henry of Navarre

  8. Louis XIV Comes to Power • Louis XIV, the Boy King (1643) • Was not the true leader until 1661 • Cardinal Marazin ran the country • Louis Weakens the Noble’s Authority • Excluded the Nobles from his council

  9. The Sun King’s Grand Style • King Louis spent much money on his personal life (servants, food, etc.) • Especially the Palace at Versailles • Louis Controls the Nobility • Forced Nobles to be at the palace • Making them dependant on the King • Forced them from their homes • Patronage of the Arts • Palace was the center of European arts

  10. The Palace at Versailles

  11. The Palace at Versailles Bedroom of Louis XIV

  12. Death of Louis XIV and Legacy • Louis died in 1715 • Positive Legacy • France much more powerful • At the top of art, literature • Military leader of Europe • Negative Legacy • Constant warfare and construction • Deep debt • Unfair tax system

  13. Central Monarchs Clash • The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) • Fought between Protestants (Hapsburgs) and Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire • Naval warfare expanded its destruction • Helped to shape colonial formation of future nations • First 12 years, Protestants are successful • Next 18 years, Catholics eventually gain the advantage

  14. Hapsburg Crest – Dual Headed Eagle Spain Austria

  15. The Thirty Years’ War

  16. The Peace of Westphalia • Ends the Thirty Years’ War • Hapsburgs of Spain and Austria weakened • France was strengthened • Religious wars in Europe ended • German princes were independent of HRE • Peace negotiation to end war started • Beginning of Modern States • Ended the idea of a Catholic empire

  17. Russian History • Russia Contrasts with Europe • Economically • Still heavily reliant on serfdom • Socially • Mongols kept Russia isolated from Renaissance and Age of Exploration • Geographically • Ports froze during winter • Size of Russia was a problem • Religious differences • Europe: Catholic or Protestant • Russia: Orthodox

  18. The Absolute Rulers of Russia • The First Czar • Ivan IV (“The Terrible”) • became czar in 1533 • Took control over the nobles • Rule by Terror • Police force organized to track down and murder “traitors” to Ivan • Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the land to new, more loyal nobles

  19. The Absolute Rulers of Russia (cont) • Rise of the Romanovs • After Ivan IV’s death (1584), there was a power vacuum • “Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling for power • 1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as the next czar • Romanov Dynasty 1613-1917

  20. Peter the Great Comes to Power1689-1725 Peter visits the West • Wanted to learn about European customs and manufacturing techniques

  21. Peter Rules Absolutely • Peter’s Reforms • Russian Orthodox Church under state control • Reduced the power of landowners • Hired European military officers • Westernizing Russia • Introduced potatoes • Women’s status increased • Nobles had to give up traditional dress • Advanced education

  22. Peter Rules Absolutely • Establishing St. Petersburg • Wanted to establish a seaport • Make it easier to get to Europe • Warm water port – would not freeze in winter • Built on a swamp • 25-100K people died to build the city • Became a very important port city

  23. St. Petersburg The Cathedral of the Spilled Blood

  24. The English Civil War • War Topples a King • Parliament tried to limit the powers of King Charles I – starts a war instead • English Civil War (1642-1649) • Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. Roundheads • Puritan Roundheads won • Tried, convicted and executed Charles I • Never had a monarch been tried and executed

  25. English Civil War (cont) • Oliver Cromwell’s Rule • General during the war who now led the country • Established a republican government • Had to squash a rebellion in Ireland • Puritan Morality • Sought to reform society • Abolish sinful activities – sports, theater • Religious toleration for all except Catholics • Cromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsed

  26. The Restoration and Revolution • King Charles II • Restored the Monarchy of England • Reformed the legal system • King James II • King James offended many b/c of his Catholicism • Parliament worried of a Catholic line of Kings

  27. The Restoration and Revolution • King James II and the Glorious Revolution • Parliament asked James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William to overthrow James • William invaded, and James fled • It was a Bloodless Revolution • Known as the Glorious Revolution

  28. Limits on Monarch’s Power • Bill of Rights • William and Mary established a constitutional monarchy • Limits on royal power increased • Establishment of the English Bill of Rights • Cabinet System Develops • Became the link between the King and Parliament - advisors to the King • Leader of the majority party heads the cabinet – Prime Minister

  29. Ruler cannot: Suspend Parliament’s laws Levy taxes without permission Interfere with freedom of speech Penalize a citizen who criticizes the King THE END English Bill of Rights

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