The Age of Absolutism

1. …or as Mel Brooks said, “It’s good to be the King.” The Age of Absolutism

2. Major Ideas… • Absolute monarch – has total control over all aspects of life within their kingdom • Divine right – belief that their power comes from God, because God “chose” them to be the king through birth • What allows “absolute monarchs” to gain power? • decline of feudalism – no more nobles to fight with for power • growth of cities – lots of people in one place are easier to control • growth of middle class – merchant class liked kings because they kept the peace and wouldn’t disrupt trade

3. King vs. Oliver Charles I Cromwell

4. King Charles I of England • King of a Protestant nation, but has a Catholic wife and alliances with Catholic countries • Country is losing money as a result of numerous wars • Parliament refuses to give Charles more money unless he gives up some of his power • ENGLISH CIVIL WAR (1642)

9. FRANCE

10. France… Prince Henry of Navarre (1589 – 1610) • Inherits throne of France • 1st king of Bourbon Dynasty • Gave up Protestantism & became Catholic • Declared Huguenots could live in peace in France • Declaration of religious tolerance: EDICT OF NANTES

11. France… • Louis XIII & Cardinal Richelieu (1610 – 1643) • Louis XIII is a weak king who relies on Richelieu for advice • France is divided between Catholics and Huguenots (French Protestants) • Richelieu makes the decision to attack the Huguenots in order to protect the Catholic monarchy • France gets involved in 30 Years War to weaken the Hapsburgs’ power and make France stronger

12. France & the 30 Years War • Spain starts the 30 Years War against Protestants in Germany • Close Protestant churches and send in the army • 1st half of war (12 years) goes well for Spain • Hapsburgs win victory after victory • Allow army to pillage conquered towns instead of paying them • 2nd half of war (18 years) goes really badly for Spain • German Protestants form alliance with France (Catholic) and defeat Hapsburgs

13. “Defenestration of Prague”

14. The 30 Years War • Peace of Westphalia • Ends 30 years war • Weakens all parts of Hapsburg empire (Spain & Austria) • Weakens Germany because of severe loss of life (about 4 million people died) • France becomes most powerful country in Europe • Is the last major religious conflict in Europe

15. France… Louis XIV (1643 – 1715) • King at age of 5, officially takes power at 23 • victory in 30 Years War makes France the most powerful country, and makes Louis the most powerful monarch • Uses economic practice of mercantilism to strengthen his country • belief in self-sufficiency  produce everything you need • export more than you import • high tariffs (taxes) on other countries goods • builds Palace of Versailles to emphasize his importance • famously says “L’étatc’estmoi!”  “I am the state!”

16. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

17. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

18. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

19. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

20. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

21. PALACE OF VERSAILLES

24. PRUSSIA

25. Prussia… Frederick II – “Frederick the Great” (1712 – 1786) • once said that “a ruler should be like a father to his people” • His own father tried to “toughen him up” by making him watch the execution of his best friend • Was very interested in military conquest • Builds the strongest army in Europe • encouraged religious toleration (between Catholics and Protestants)

26. Prussia…and Austria War of Austrian Succession (1740 – 1748) • Frederick the Great decides to invade lands between Prussia and Austria • He assumed that Austria’s queen (Maria Theresa) would not become involved because she was a woman (woman = weak) • Maria forms an alliance with Hungary and Britain to help her resist Prussia & France • War ends with very little land changing hands

27. Prussia…and Austria…and England…and France Seven Years War (1756 – 1763) • Maria Theresa makes an alliance with France in an attempt to weaken Prussia • Frederic forms an alliance with Britain • Frederic invades a small ally of Austria • A “world war” begins between these powerful countries which is fought in Europe, India and North America • Started by the “French and Indian War” in the USA • Outcome: British get control of French colonies in India and N. America • Outcome: 1.4 million dead across Europe

28. Seven Years War(blue vs. green)

29. Seven Years War

30. RUSSIA

31. Russia… • How was Russia different from Western Europe?: • serfdom lasts much longer  until the 1800’s • Little contact with outside world because of conquest and climate • religious differences  Russians were Eastern Orthodox Christians and viewed European Catholics and Protestants as heretics who didn’t follow the true word of God

32. Russia… • Ivan III (1462 – 1505) • kicks the Mongols out of Russia • Ivan IV – “Ivan the Terrible” (1505 – 1533) • first Czar (means “Caesar”) • creates a code of laws for Russians to follow • conquers a great deal of land  forms the Russian empire • after his wife dies, Ivan begins to persecute the nobles (called Boyars) • suspected them of poisoning his wife • kills 1000’s of Boyars and their families

33. Russia… • Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) • “the Grand Embassy” – a long visit to Western European nations to see how they did things differently • “westernization” – goal to modernize Russia using Western Europe as a model • reduces power of nobles (Boyars) • hires Europeans to train the army • introduces potatoes  increases population • starts a newspaper  increases literacy rate • gives women rights  takes away the whip • by the time of his death, Russia had become a major power in the Eastern Hemisphere

34. Left Page for Notes: GREATEST RULER EVER! • Create a poster, billboard, or some other visual displaying the greatness of this monarch. Make sure it explains why they’re so great. DOWN WITH THE KING! • Create a second visualdisplaying the rottenness of a second monarch. Make sure it explains why they’re so great.