Crisis and Absolutism in Europe

1. CrisisandAbsolutismin Europe Landscape with Merchants (1630), by Claude Lorrain

2. Reformation created Opposites & Conflict Protestants and Catholics battled for territory & authority No room for compromise “only one TRUE faith” Compounded by Monarchies One Ruler promoting One Faith Belief of Nobles? I. Wars of Religion

3. French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) Monarchy, vast majority of subjects were Catholic Half of nobility were Huguenots French Protestants influenced by Calvin Peasants side with Huguenots. Why? I. Wars of Religion Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre(1630), by Francois Dubois

4. French Wars of Religion (cont.) After many battles, Huguenots win Henry of Navarre Political leader of Huguenots Takes throne as Henry IV Converts to Catholicism, why? Edict of Nantes (1598) Catholicism still official religion… But Huguenots free to worship, hold public office I. Wars of Religion Henry IV

5. Militant Spanish Catholicism Philip II, the “Most Catholic King”, wanted more control over his lands Used religion to do so Resistance in Spanish Netherlands Calvinists destroy Catholic statues William the Silent, prince of Orange 12yrs of war = Dutch independence Spain has large empire (where?) But also very large debt I. Wars of Religion King Philip II of Spain

6. The England of Elizabeth Inherits throne from “Bloody” Mary Repeals Catholic-Friendly laws Sought to balance power of France and Spain If one seemed to be gaining power, she favored the other Led to war with Spain Spain wanted a Catholic England Spanish Armada fails I. Wars of Religion Queen Elizabeth I of England

8. The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) Battle over religion, politics, territory Begins in Holy Roman Empire Calvinists nobles (Protestants) Ignored by Peace of Augsburg Hapsburg Emperors (Catholic) France, Spain, others get involved Struggle for European dominance Devastated German people, land Peace of Westphalia (1648) All German states able to choose religion France now dominant, end of H.R.E. I. Wars of Religion Battle on the Charles Bridge (1648), Petri Krohn

9. Religious crisis creates need for stability Requires strong rulers that resist change Absolutism System where ruler has total power “Who put this guy in charge?” Justification: Divine Right of Kings King receives power from God Responsible only to God II. Rise of Absolutism

10. King Louis XIV of France Rise to power 1643:Louis takes throne, age 13 Cardinal Mazarin rules for him Stops rebellion, strengthens crown Dies when Louis is 23 Louis XIV takes complete control Builds myth of “Sun King” II. Rise of Absolutism King Louis XIV, the “Sun King”

11. King Louis XIV of France (cont.) Palace at Versailles (VURH-sigh) Personal household of King Many nobles moved in as well Louis encouraged it. Why? Place where powerful subjects came to find favors, offices Center of elite French culture Examples? II. Rise of Absolutism The Palace at Versailles

12. King Louis XIV of France (cont.) Religious Policy Goal: maintain religious harmony Anti-Protestant policies Hoped to Convert Huguenots Destruction of churches, schools Huguenots flee Economy & War Adhered to mercantilistic policies Waged four wars for fame, land On deathbed: Regretted war, overspending II. Rise of Absolutism Reception of Le Grand Condé at Versailles, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1878)

13. English Revolution Tudor Dynasty ends, enter James I King of Scotland Believed in Divine Right of Kings Role of British Parliament? Roots from Magna Carta Assumed King shares ruling power Puritans (English Calvinists) Wanted less moderate Church of England Gentry, landowners, Parliament III. Changes in England King James I of England and Scotland

14. English Revolution (cont.) Charles I Supports Divine Right of Kings Refuses power to Parliament Imposes more religious ritual Many Puritans head to America 1642: Civil War Cavaliers: support King Charles Roundheads: back Parliament Led by Oliver Cromwell III. Changes in England Charles I Oliver Cromwell

15. English Revolution (cont.) Oliver Cromwell Defeats, executes Charles I Cleans house in Parliament Abolished monarchy, declared England a commonwealth Frustrated by Parliament, set up military dictatorship Restoration Cromwell dies, monarchy returns Charles II: Catholic sympathizer James II: Devout Catholic. conflict? III. Changes in England Charles II James II

16. Glorious Revolution James II had 2 Protestant daughters His successor would be Protestant had son with 2nd wife, a Catholic William of Orange (Dutch) Son-in-law of James II (Mary) Invited by English nobles to invade “bloodless” Glorious Revolution William and Mary are monarchs Accepted a Bill of Rights from Parliament Legitimized role of Parliament Granted individual rights No Catholic could be monarch Solidified Constitutional Monarchy III. Changes in England William and Mary

17. 2 powerful German states emerge Prussia Fredrick William the Great Elector Small, open land, no natural defense Builds 4th largest army in Europe Creates General War Commissariat Levy taxes, oversees army Runs civil services Bureaucracy = chief tool for rule Son becomes King Frederick I IV. Eastern Absolutism The Prussian State & Frederick William, the Great Elector

18. Austria Hapsburg clan No longer Emperors (H.R.E) Expand south & east (defeat Turks) Gain large territory, but never becomes absolutist state… Many different national groups Lack of common identity, culture IV. Eastern Absolutism Seal of the Hapsburgs

19. Absolutist Russia Continual expansion (p. 446) Ivan IV (“Ivan the Terrible”) First czar, Russian for “Caesar” Crushed power of Boyars (nobles) “Time of Troubles” = anarchy Peter the Great, 1689 Claims Divine Right of Kings Determined to Westernize Updates Army, founds Navy St. Petersburg = window to West IV. Eastern Absolutism Russian Expansion, St. Petersburg, and Peter the Great

20. Effects of Enlightenment in Eastern Europe Prussia Frederick I Strong bureaucracy to serve King Strong state through strong army Frederick II (Frederick the Great) Big army to watch over bureaucrats Abolished torture Limited free speech & religion Kept rigid class system, serfdom IV. Eastern Absolutism William I and William the Great of Prussia

21. Enlightenment in E.Europe (cont) Austria Maria Theresa (Empress in 1740) Tried to centralize Austrian Empire Give more power to state ease conditions of serfs Joseph II, Maria’s son Abolished serfdom, death penalty Absolute religious toleration Failure, alienates those he tried to help (too much too soon) IV. Eastern Absolutism Maria Theresa and Joseph II of Austria

22. Enlightenment in E.Europe (cont) Russia Catherine the Great (1762-1796) Open to Enlightenment ideas of reform But does nothing, favors nobility over peasants Absolutist ideals help gain territory to the south and east IV. Eastern Absolutism Catherine the Great of Russia