Absolute Monarchs in Europe

1. Absolute Monarchs in Europe Chapter 21

2. Section 1-Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

3. A Powerful Spanish Empire • Philip II- • Son of Charles V • Inherited Spain, the Spanish Netherlands and Spain’s American colonies • Philip was shy, serious, deeply religious, and aggressive for the sake of his empire

4. A Powerful Spanish Empire • Philip II’s Empire- • Controlled Portugal’s holdings, strongholds in Africa, India, and the East Indies • Received 1/4th to 1/5th of each ships treasure • Supported an army of 50,000 • Defended and supported Catholicism against Muslims

5. Golden Age of Spanish Literature • During the 16th and 17th century Spain experienced a golden age in arts • El Greco- • Means “the Greek” • Paintings represented the deep Catholic faith of Spain • Were often hard to understand • Diego Velazquez- • His paintings reflected the pride of the Spanish monarchy

7. Golden Age of Spanish Literature • Don Quixote-Published in 1605 • Called the birth of the modern European novel • Written by Miguel de Cervantes • Story surrounds a poor man who read to many novels about kings, than went crazy

8. The Spanish Empire Weakens • Inflation and Taxes • Inflation-The decline in the value of money • Causes of Spanish inflation • Population had increased and due to the increased need for goods merchants raised prices • The value of the silver bullion had decreased

9. The Spanish Empire Weakens • Making Spain’s Enemies Rich • Spain bought most of their products from France, England and the Netherlands • To finance their wars they borrowed money from German and Italian bankers

10. The Independent Dutch Prosper • The Netherlands won their independence from Spain in 1579 • They had the best banks and the best artists in Europe during the 1600’s • Rembrandt van Rijn- • Painted wealthy middle-class merchants and groups • Famous works also included The Night Watch and a series of paintings about Jesus

14. The Independent Dutch Prosper • Dutch Trading Empire- • Had the largest fleet of ships in the world • 4,800 ships • Dutch East Indian Company- • Dominated the spice trade and the Indian Ocean trade

15. Absolutism in Europe • Absolute Monarchs- • Kings or Queens held all the power within their states boundaries • Divine Right- • The belief that God created the monarch and monarchy to act as representatives of God

16. Section 2-The Reign of Louis XIV

17. Religious Wars and Power Struggles • Henry IV- • In 1589 became the 1st king of the Bourbon dynasty in France • He was decisive, fearless in battle and a clever politician • Converted to Catholicism to make the people of France happy

18. Religious Wars and Power Struggles • Edict of Nantes- • Declaration of religious tolerance that allowed the Huguenots to set up their own place of worship

19. Religious Wars and Power Struggles • Cardinal Richelieu- • A strong minister appointed by Louis XIII to compensate for his weakness • Took two steps to increase the power of the Bourbon monarchy • Moved against the Huguenots • Felt Protestantism was an excuse for conspiracies against the Catholic Church • Sought to weaken the power of nobles

20. Writers Turn Towards Skepticism • Skepticism- • The idea that nothing can ever be known for certain • To doubt was viewed as the first step to discovering the truth

21. Louis XIV Comes to Power • Louis XIV- • Most powerful ruler in French History • Viewed the state and himself as one and the same • His goal was to become so strong that the nobles could never threaten him

22. Louis XIV Comes to Power Intendants-Government agents who collected taxes and administered justice in France under Louis XIV Jean Baptiste Colbert-Minister of France who believed they should be self sufficient Fan of mercantilism Gave tax breaks to French companies Recognized how vital France’s colonies were in terms of receiving raw materials

23. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars By 1660 France had a population of 20 million people France’s army was superior to the other European Countries in: The size of their army Their training Their weaponry

24. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars The War of Spanish Succession- Lasted from 1701 to 1714 Charles II of Spain had promised the throne to France’s Philip of Anjou England, Austria, Dutch Republic, Portugal and several German and Italian states joined forces to prevent the union of the France and Spain thrones

25. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars The War of Spanish Succession Treaty of Utrecht-Stated that Philip could remain king of Spain as long as both thrones remained separate England emerges as the big winner They captured the fort at Gibraltar Received permission to send slaves to Spain’s American colonies England also received Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (In modern day Canada)

26. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars Louis’ Death and His Legacy Positive Effects: France ranked as the best European country in terms of art, literature, and statesmanship Strongest military power in Europe Negative Effects: The Palace of Versailles plunged France into debt There was resentment over high taxes and Louis’ abuse of power

27. Section 3-Central European Monarchs Clash

28. The Thirty Years’ War The Thirty Years’ War A conflict over religion, territory, and power among European ruling families that lasted from 1618 to 1648. It can be broken down into two main phases: The Hapsburg Triumphs The Hapsburg Defeats

29. The Thirty Years’ War The Hapsburg Triumphs Hapsburg armies from Austria and Spain crushed Protestant forces in Germany and those hired by princes as well as the Czech uprising Ferdinand II paid his 125,000 man army by allowing them to loot the areas they attacked

30. The Thirty Years’ War The Hapsburg Defeats- 1630 Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and his 23,000 man army drove the Hapsburg army out of Germany 1635 Cardinal Richelieu sent French troops to help German and Swedish protestants fighting the Hapsburgs

31. The Thirty Years’ War Peace of Westphalia-1648 Weakened the Hapsburg states of Austria and Germany Awarded France German territory Made German princes independent of the Holy Roman Empire Ended religious wars in Europe Created a method of negotiations for reaching peace

32. States Form in Central Europe Economic Contrasts in the West Serfs in the west moved to towns and gained economic power through capitalism The aristocracy in Central Europe passed laws to restrict the serfs ability to gain freedom The Ottoman Empire and Holy Roman Empire had been severely weakened by the 1600’s

33. Persia Challenges Austria Frederick “The Great”- Loved music, philosophy and poetry His father feared he wasn’t militarily savvy enough to rule When he and his friend ran away his punishment was to watch his friends beheading He encouraged religious tolerance, legal reform and felt a king should act like a father to his people

34. Persia Challenges Austria The Seven Years’ War- 1756 Frederick attacked Saxony as a result all major European powers were now at war Britain and Persia on one side Austria, France, and Russia on the other The war was fought in Europe, India and North America The War ended in 1763 with no major territorial changes