Age of Absolutism

1. Age of Absolutism

2. The Age of Absolutism • Between 1500-1800 feudal leaders gave way to strong centralized power • Countries such as Spain, France and Russia became absolute monarchies where the King and Queen and complete authority over government and social matters • Monarchs also embraced divine right, this meant their power came directly from God • By 1700 all major European powers except England(constitutional monarchy) had become absolute monarchies

3. Spanish Power Grows

4. Charles V Inherits Throne • By 1500 Spain emerged as the first modern power • In 1516 Ferdinand and Isabella’s grandson Charles I became king • He now is in control of the colonies in Americas • In 1519 his other grandfather died and he inherited Hapsburg empire which included the Germany states and the HRQ and took the name Charles V • Ruling two empires meant constant warfare • He was a dedicated Catholic who fought to end Protestantism • Eventually, the Hapsburg Empire became too big and he divided the empire in 1566

5. Philip II Gains Power • Philip II was given Spain, Netherlands, and Spain’s overseas areas by his father Charles V • Philip was in power for 42 years • He expanded Spanish influence and strengthened the Catholic Church • Eventually, Philip made every part of the government responsible to him, and reigned as an absolute monarch • Stated that he ruled by divine right • Saw himself as a guardian of the Roman Catholic Church • Wanted religious unity so he turned the Inquisition against Protestants

6. Philip’s Wars • Battles in Mediterranean • The Ottoman Empire posed a constant threat to Spain in the Mediterranean region • Battle of Lepanto (1571) Spain defeats Ottomans • This battle showed Spanish power by defeating the Ottomans • Philip vs. Queen Elizabeth • By the 1580s Philip saw Queen Elizabeth as his major Protestant enemy • Philip prepared a huge armada to carry a Spanish invasion against England • In the English channel, the large Spanish ships were outmaneuvered by lighter, faster English ships • This marked the beginning of the end for Spain’s power • 1600s  Spain’s power and prosperity declined, Philip II’s successors were far less capable rulers

7. Ticket out the Door • What is an absolute monarch? • What is divine right theory? • How did life change under an absolute monarch?

8. France Under Louis XIV

9. Henry IV Restores Order • During the 1600sFrance becomes the most powerful country in Europe • In 1589 Henry IV inherits throne and fought against Catholic opposition • Government reached into every aspect of French life • Repaired roads, built bridges and revived farming • Henry set the foundation for absolute rule • Louis XIV inherited the throne in 1643 at the age of FIVE and chaos would follow after his father’s assassination • For 18 years Cardinal Richelieu ruled in his place strengthening the central government

10. Louis XIV • At 23 years old, he took control of the government • Called himself the Sun King • Never called a meeting of the Estates General, strengthened himself • Louis hired royal officials who collected taxes, recruited soldiers, and carried out his policiesand grew the middle class • Built the French army into the strongest in Europe, over 300,000 in strength

12. Louis XIV • The Palace at Versailles • Countryside, near Paris  Louis turned a hunting lodge into a palace • Millions of flowers, trees, and fountains filled the fields at Versailles • This was Louis seat of government • Growth of the Arts • Louis supported a “splendid” century of the arts • Painting, music, architecture, and decorative arts of France began to be used all over Europe • Louis sponsored the French Academies…set high standards for both arts and sciences

14. Decline of France • During Louis 72 year reign, France was the strongest country of Europe • However, some decisions he made eventually led to decline • He poured vast resources into wars to expand France’s borders • Rival countries would work together to prohibit this from happening • 1700  Louis’s grandson takes the throne in Spain (Philip V) • Neighboring nations fought to prevent the union of France & Spain • The War of Spanish Succession dragged on until 1713, France signed the Treaty of Utrecht: stated Philip would remain king and the two crowns would not unite

15. Parliament Triumphs in England

17. Absolute Monarchy in Russia

18. Modernizing Russia • Russia has remained isolated from Western Europe • In 1682 Peter I takes the throne at age 10 and in 1697 set out to learn about Western ways of life • Visited factories, art galleries, learned about anatomyand brought a group of European experts to Russia to help him Westernize • Peter wanted to make Russia like Europe • Takes the nickname Peter the Great • Brought everything under his control • Forced the nobles (boyars) to serve the government • Executed those who opposed him

19. Peter the Great Expands • Needed to control a “warm-water” port in order to expand • In 1700 he began a long war against Sweden, early losses force him to modernize • He eventually wins and builds St. Petersburg • Built by Italian architects to be "Window on the West” • Peter continued to expand Russia • Sent explorers into Siberia • The Pacific Coast and Bering Strait were explored • Russians expanded into Alaska and built outposts in Alaska and Northern California

21. Peter’s Death and Legacy • Peter the Great died in 1725, leaving a mixed legacy • Ended Russia’s isolation and expanded borders • However, many of his ambitions died when he did and nobles began to ignore his policies • He had to use force to ensure his power which widened the gap between Russia and Europe • Peter died without an heir and without naming one specifically • This set off a power struggle in Russia with the Romanov family • After a few ineffective leaders, the Russian nobles reasserted power

22. Catherine the Great • A new monarch firmly took the throne: Catherine the Great(her husband Tsar Peter III was murdered) • Catherine was an efficient, energetic ruler • She reorganized the government, codified laws, and grew education • She encouraged Western ideas like Peter the Great and was a student of the French thinkers who led the Enlightenment • Catherine was ruthless in her ruling