Absolutism

1. Absolutism

2. Objectives • Examine absolutism through a comparison of the rulers, including Louis XIV and Tsar Peter the Great.

3. Absolutism in Europe • The Theory of Absolutism • Absolute monarchs – kings or queens who held all of the power within their states’ boundaries. • Believed in divine rights – the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representatives on earth.

4. Growing Power of Europe’s Monarchs • Factors which affected the growing power of monarchs: • Feudalism declined. • Rise of cities • Growth of national kingdoms • Growing middle class-Supported due to peace and best chance for business • Church authority broke down • Crises Lead to Absolutism • Continuous warfare • Monarchs responded to the crises by increasing their own power. Built huge armies, raised taxes. Increased their power Centralized authority

5. Phillip’s II Empire Shy, serious, and deeply religious Aggressive Seized the Portuguese kingdom Phillip’s empire provided him with wealth Spain supported an army of about 50,000 soldiers Spanish Empire

6. Spanish Empire • Defender of Catholicism • Defend Catholicism against the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire and the Protestants of Europe • 1571 sends ships to defeat an Ottoman fleet at the pope’s request • Spanish Armada • Even after the defeat, Spain still appeared to be powerful because of its wealth.

7. French Empire • Henry of Navarre (Henry IV) • Inherited throne in 1589 • Converted to Catholicism to be king • Signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598 • Declared that the Huguenots could live in peace in France and set up their own houses of worship • Reign devoted to rebuilding France and its prosperity • Stabbed to death in 1610

8. French Empire • Louis XIV • Became king in 1643 at the age of 14 • Cardinal Mazarin true ruler • Greatest triumph was ending the Thirty Years’ War • Nobles hated Mazarin because he increased taxes and strengthened central government

9. As he got older, Louis gained more power He weakened the nobles’ authority Excluded nobles from his councils Increased the power of government agents, intendants They communicated with him regularly. French Empire

10. The Palace at Versailles

17. French Empire • Louis XIV continued • Attempted to expand France’s boundaries • 1667 – Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands • 1672 – led an army into the Dutch Netherlands • Ended in 1678 with the Treaty of Nijmegen. • Fought additional wars • By 1680s an alliance in Europe formed to stop France

18. French Empire • Louis’s Death and Legacy • France was a power to be reckoned with in Europe. • Ranked above all nations in art, literature, and statesmanship. • France was in staggering debt • Resentment over the tax burden eventually leads to revolution

19. Charles VI Pragmatic Sanction Maria Theresa She suspended the meetings of the estates in most parts of her dominions Favored education, trade, religious toleration, the emancipation of the agricultural population from feudal burdens – only if nothing was to be done to weaken her authority Austria Grows Stronger

20. Frederick the Great Followed his father’s military policies when he came to power Encouraged religious toleration and legal reform Prussia

22. Absolute Rulers of Russia • The First Czar • Ivan IV (The Good Years) • Seized power and crowned himself czar. • Won great victories • Added lands to Russia • Gave Russia a code of laws • Rule by Terror (Ivan the Terrible) • Turned against the boyars • Organized his own police force • Using the secret police executed many boyars, their families, and the peasants who worked their land

23. Czar Peter I 1696 – Peter became sole ruler of Russia Brought the Russian Orthodox Church under state control Reduced the power of great landowners Modernized army Russia

24. Westernizing Russia Introduced potatoes Started Russia’s first newspaper Raised women’s status Ordered the nobles to give up their traditional clothes for Western fashions Advanced education Established St. Petersburg “Window on Europe” Russia

25. English Monarchy • James I • Fought with Parliament • Charles I • Signed Petition of Right. He agreed to four points which forced him to share power with Parliament • Dissolves Parliament • Charles II Reigns • Parliament passes habeas corpus • James II • Appointed several Catholics to high office • Parliament protests, James dissolves it • Glorious Revolution

26. Limits of Monarch’s Power • William and Mary crowned king and queen. • Recognized Parliament as their partner in governing • England becomes a constitutional monarchy(limit ruler’s power) • Pass Bill of Rights • States a ruler cannot: • Suspend laws of Parliament • Levy taxes without a specific grant from Parliament • Interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament • Penalty for a citizen who petitions the king of grievances • Cabinet System Develops • Overtime, the cabinet became the center of power and policymaking

30. The Ottoman Empire • Suleyman I (son) • Brought it to its greatest size • Conquered parts of southeastern Europe • Won control of the Mediterranean Sea • Revised laws within his empire • After his rule, the empire remained, but experienced a decline

31. Ottoman Expansion

33. Safavid Empire • Shah Abbas • Reformed his army(2 armies/artillery) • Removed corrupt government officials • Empire declined after his death(same mistake as Sulyeman made)

35. Mughal Empire in India • After Gupta Empire (remember), Huns and Mongols controlled this region. Then fighting between the Hindus and Muslims • Babur • North India • Great military leader • Expanded the empire • Akbar • Even as a Muslim, he was accepting of other religions • Ruled very fairly • Ended a tax against his people regardless of their faith • Successful military leader • Shah Jahan • Built TajMahal

36. Tokugawa Ieyasu • Japanese military leader and statesman • Founder of the Tokugawa dynasty of shoguns • United Japan(alternative attendance policy) • Worked hard to restore stability to Japan and encouraged foreign trade