The Rise of Absolute Monarchies in Europe: Impact on Politics and Society

1. BELLWORK: December 5th • How did the Exploration Era contribute to the increased power of monarchs? • Define absolutism. • Define divine right. • THINKER: What is an absolute monarchy? Why would countries and citizens support this type of government?

2. Fall Final Study Guide & Exam Info • This Week  Political/Scientific developments post-Ren/Ref • Final Study Guide = 85 points!!! • Historical Vocabulary: 36 terms (1/2 point each) • Important People: 18 people (1 point each) • Study Questions: 16 questions (3 points each!) • Final Exam = 10% of Fall Semester Grade • Fall Final Essay  Cause & Effect (2%) • Monday December 12th! • Fall Final Exam  62 MC questions (w/ sources) & 13 countries (8%) • Tues 12/20 (pd. 2) & Wed 12/21 (pd. 4) • The LAST day to turn in any late/missing work is FRI 12/16

3. Absolute Monarchies • In the 1500’s and 1600’s, European monarchs sought to create powerful kingdoms in which they could command the complete loyalty of all their subjects. • This form of government, known as absolutism, placed absolute, or unlimited, power in the monarch and his/her advisers. • The strength of absolutism rested on divine right – the political idea that monarchs receive their power directly from God and are responsible to God alone for their actions. • An absolute monarchy, it was reasoned, would unify diverse peoples and bring greater efficiency and control.

4. France – Louis XIV Took throne at the age of 5 in 1643 ruled by his two regents: mother and a church official (until he was 23) Reigned for 72 years – longest reign in European history (died in 1715)

5. Louis XIV: Government Policy He was the source of all authority “I am the state!” Strong monarchy due to fear of disorder Chose top advisors from the middle class - they would not challenge the king Appointed 2 key advisors – one as economic minister and the other as minister of war

9. Louis XIV • Foreign policy – countries were scared of Louis’ desire for expansion • This led to many countries creating alliances with France • Successes • brilliant cultural period • army was one of the strongest in Europe

10. Louis XIV: Failures Building projects and wars left France in severe debt Conflict between nobles and lower classes will cause the French Revolution

11. Absolute Monarchies • For the remaining three monarchs, you are going to independently read and fill in the information on the worksheet. • Follow the model of Louis XIV • Phillip II: 258-260 • Elizabeth: 261-265 • Peter the Great: 275-278 • What you do not finish, is homework. Stay on task!

12. Spain – Philip II 1556-1598 Son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal Saw himself as the defender of faith – end Protestantism Built El Escorial, which served as royal court, gallery & monastery

14. Philip II Wanted to increase the Hapsburg family’s power throughout Europe He involved Spain in many costly European wars Catholic Spain faced a growing challenge from Protestant England Developed plans to invade England using the Spanish Armada (armada – fleet of warships) Successes Protestant Reformation failed Kept Spain Catholic 1571 defeated the Ottoman Turks

16. Philip II • Failures • Lost Netherlands • Defeat of the Spanish Navy – was not able to take over England • Costly wars drained national treasury  debt & inflation

17. England – Elizabeth I • 1558-1603 • Time of great culture – artists, poets, theater = Shakespeare • Refused to marry • Assisted by a council of nobles – with her approval

18. Elizabeth I Government laws and policies regulated lives of the common people England was in debt when she took over She sold royal lands, monopolies, offices, licenses to pay off debts Foreign policy – balance of power Balance of power – a system where each nation helps to keep peace and order by maintaining power that is equal to, or in balance with rival nations

19. Elizabeth I Afraid of France – more powerful than England Relied on other countries for resources English Channel for defense Strong navy

20. Elizabeth I Successes Kept Spain out of the Netherlands Scotland became Protestant and ally of England Ireland became an ally Improved education & tax reform Failures - England still in debt

21. Russia – Peter the Great 1689 - 1725 After taking the throne he traveled throughout England studying their shipyards, factories, mills, and labs Learned carpentry, surgery, and dentistry When he returned – he had everyone adopt the ways of the western Europe Sent Russians to study abroad

23. Peter the Great • New capital city, St. Petersburg - Window to the West • Made great changes to Russian government • Created a central bureaucracy (France) - local governments now under its control - Eastern Orthodox Church under its control

24. Peter the Great • Created new class of nobles • in exchange for their services to the gov’t, they were given estates • duty to the czar started at age 15 – death • used privileges and force to make nobility accept gov’t service • had total control of serfs (opposite from Europe – they had been gaining freedom)

25. Peter the Great Created tax laws to increase gov’t income Nobles did not pay taxes Brought agriculture and craft production under gov’t control Incentives to increase mining and metal working

26. Peter the Great • Foreign Policy • wanted to make Russia a European power • expanded borders • took control of Siberia & Bering Strait • had settlements in Alaska and California • fought Poland, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire for ports

27. Peter the Great • Successes • opened Russia to Europe • strengthened Russia’s role in foreign affairs • brought mainstream European civilization • modernized the military • land acquisition • defeated Sweden in 1721 gained control of the eastern end of Baltic region

28. Peter the Great • Failures - created a dangerous divide between nobles and peasants - divide between those who embraced European ways and those who did not - within Russian he only had limited success – reforms were incomplete

29. CLOSURE • Which one of the European monarchs had the most success? Explain! • Which one of the European monarchs was the least successful? Explain!

30. Read pgs. 262-265 and answer the following questions about the reign of Elizabeth I. • How did Elizabeth I change the culture of England? • Who advised Elizabeth? What decisions did they reach? • What was the economy like during Elizabeth’s rule? How did the government make money? • Who was England’s major rival at the time? What did Elizabeth do to guarantee England’s protection? • How did Elizabeth I change England’s relationship with Scotland? • THINKER: In your opinion, what was Elizabeth’s greatest success? What was her biggest failure?

31. Explain the foreign policy of Louis XIV. • Describe the economy of France during Louis XIV’s rule. • What was Louis XIV’s biggest failure? • Explain the government policies of Peter the Great. How did he rule? What role did nobles play? • How did Peter the Great change the culture of Russia? • What was Peter the Great’s biggest success?

32. Who was England’s major rival at the time? What did Elizabeth do to guarantee England’s protection? • Explain the foreign policy of Louis XIV. • What was Louis XIV’s biggest failure? • How did Peter the Great change the culture of Russia? • What was Peter the Great’s biggest success? • THINKER: In your opinion, who was the most successful absolute monarch? Why?