Monarchs of Europe

1. Monarchs of Europe France in the Age of Absolutism

2. Absolutism • Period in European history where a monarch ruled a centralized state with aboslute authority. • Monarch had unlimited control • Did not follow any laws but Gods. • Today an absolute monarch is considered • A dictator

3. Strengthening the Monarchy • Henry IV (4th) • Came to French throne in 1589. • Been a Huguenot • Converted to Catholicism to help bring peace an d unity to France. • Henry issued Edict of Nantes • Guranteed freedom of worship (ended religious wars) • Helped control nobility to regain power.

4. Henry VII Primary Problem • French tax system was unfairly distributed • Nobles and member of clergy were exempted from taxes. • People from large cities did not have to pay the royal tax. • To improve system, Henry VII puts Duke of Sully in charge • Could not fix everything, but improved system dramatically. • More money went to French treasury • This improved industry and trade.

5. Louis XIII (13th) • Henry VII was murdered in 1610. • Son was eight years old when he takes over France. His mother: • Marie de Medicis ruled as regent until Louis took throne in 1617. • Weak and Wise King: • Weak: sick and could not concentrate • Wise: he chose wise advisors who provided strong leadership

6. Cardinal Richelieu • Chief minister to Louis VIII • Worked to take power away from nobles and political rights away from the Huguenots. • Encouraged trade and industry • Huguenots: lived in fortified cities that were like states within states. Made impossible for centralized government. • Led military attacks on Huguenot towns. • After a year, Richelieu lets them practice own religion and hold public office, but took away right in fortified cities. • Strengthens authority of regional representatives • Intendants: monarchy’s representatives of the king in the provinces that made up France. • Over time, take away financial power away from regional governors and military leaders. Put it in the hands of the king.

7. Thirty Years War • Began in Prague in 1618 • Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire • France, Sweden, Denmark vs. Holy Roman Empire (Hapsburg Family). • Richelieu worked on keeping war going but keeping France out. • Most of war took place in Germany and ruined the country. • Treaty of Westphalia ended the war • France receives Alsace territory along the Rhine River • Weakened Hapsburgs and Holy Roman Empire • Independence to Netherlands and Switzerland

8. Louis XIV (14th): The Sun King • Ruled for 72 years, longest reign in French history. • Built huge palace at Versailles: moved govt. there • To gain absolute rule, Louis XIV: • Divine Right of Kings: chosen by God to rule. • “I am the state” • Important nobles forced to live at palace of Versailles. • Improve Economic Development: Appointed Jean-Baptiste Colbert: expert in finance. • Granted government subsidies

9. Russia in the Age of Absolutism Section 2

10. Isolation and a New Dynasty • Factors separated Russia from Western Europe • Before 1480, Mongol ruled for 200 years (Asian influence) • Religion: Eastern Orthodox rather than RC or Protestant • Used Cyrillic alphabet (communication problems). • Geographic problems • Sweden and Poland blocked Russia from Baltic Sea. • Ottoman Turks controlled coast of Black Sea. • Poland and Eastern Europe hurt trade and commercial contact with Europeans.

11. Leaders • Ivan the terrible centers power on himself, the czar. Ivan dies in 1584. • 1613, Michael Romanov is elected as czar. • Romanov Family • Large, powerful, and wealthy • Ruled Russia for next 300 years • Russia becomes leading European power • Sought to build power of czar • Suppressed protests of religious group called Old Believers.

12. Peter the Great • Was ruthless like Ivan • Russia needed to become more like rest of Europe. • Goal: Acquire water ports on Sea of Azov and Black Sea • Problem: Areas controlled by Ottoman Empire. • To defeat Turks, he would need help from Western Europe. • Solution: Disguises as private citizen, visits Western Europe to ask for help, but they say no. • Learns many things about the West.

13. Westerninzing Russia • Peter improves army’s training and weaponry. • Starts long war with Sweden (gains territory on east coast of Gulf of Finland). Access to Baltic Sea. • Built new city of St. Petersburg in new territory. • Moved capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg (closer to W. Europe) • Social Changes • Women: less isolated from society • Nobles: Shaved off beards and dressed in European styles. • Government and Economy • Reformed government’s administration • Encouraged manufacturing and foreign trade • Peter had full control of government and church

14. Nobility • Service Nobility: individuals noble’s rank depending on government service. • In return, czar granted individual nobles large estates of serfs. • Increases number of serfs in Russia and worsened conditions.

15. Regret • Russian Orthodox Church: • Objected interference in traditional church practices and drive to control entire clergy. • Russian nobles: • Angered by Peter’s moves to restructure the government and centralize power towards himself.

16. Catherine the Great • Supported art, science, literature, and theater (Russians did not care for this). • Nobles became more westernized (Ex: spoke French). • Expansion of Peter the Great • Still wanted control of Sea of Azov and Black Sea • Successful war against the Turks=gain most of north shore of Black Sea.

17. Poland • Three nations: Prussia, Austria, and Russia • First Partition of Poland: • These three countries seized slices of Polish territory for themselves. • Second Partition of Poland: • Same thing happens except with only Russia and Prussia. • Russia gains more than 200,000 square miles under Catherine the Great. • Russia now reached central Europe • Force to consider for balance of power.

18. Expansion Eastward • Before Catherine: Russain settlers, Cossacks, expanded eastward. • Captured Mongol city of Sibir (access to Siberia). • Fur trade develops (attracts a lot of settlers). • Amur River, Chinese come in contact with Russia. • Signed treaty to establish Amur River as border and established trade relations. • Crossed Bering Strait to North America. • Set up colony in Alaska • Trading posts expanded Southward.