kings/queens believe everything in their territory is their property answer only to god, not...
TRANSCRIPT
AGE OF ABSOLUTISM
WHO ARE ABSOLUTE MONARCHS?
kings/queens believe everything in their territory is their property
Answer only to God, not his/her subjects
WHAT IS DIVINE RIGHT?
DIVINE RIGHT: belief God created monarchy & they act as God’s representatives on earth
REASONS FOR ABSOLUTE MONARCHS, PART I
INCREASE OF MIDDLE CLASS, DECLINE OF FEUDALISM, RISE OF CITIES
17th C. period of huge upheaval in Europe monarchs impose order by increasing own power
Created new gov. bureaucracies to control economic life GOAL: be free from limitations set by nobility & Parliament; therefore rule absolutely
REASONS FOR ABSOLUTE MONARCHS, PART II
1562–1598
Huguenots & Catholics fought 8 religious wars
Chaos in France leads to opening for strong leaders to take over
PRINCE HENRY OF NAVARRE (THE IV)
Inherits throne of France1st king of Bourbon Dynasty
Gave up Protestantism & became Catholic
Declared Huguenots could live in peace in France & set up houses of worship
Declaration of religious tolerance: EDICT OF NANTES
Devotes reign to restoring France’s prosperity
SKEPTICISM
idea that nothing can be known
for certain
France’s restored power leads to this intellectual movement (for French thinkers)
INTELLECTUAL MOVEMENT IN SPAIN
DIEGO VELAZQUEZ—paintings showed pride of Spain’s monarchy; rich colors
DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA: 1605, called birth of modern European novel—by Miguel Cervantes
about poor Spanish nobleman who goes crazy from reading too many books on heroic knights
set out to “right every manner of wrong”
ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE: LOUIS XIV
Most powerful ruler in French history
Weakens nobility power; excluded from councils
Increases power of INTENDANTS: gov’t agents that collect taxes & administer justice
Spent fortune on luxurious items (meals & residence)
CHATEAU (Palace) DE VERSAILLES weakens France
500 yards long; big statue of himself in courtyard
Center of arts during reign; now purpose of art is to glorify the king & promote values supporting Louis’s absolute rule Attempt to expand boundaries by invading Spanish
Netherlands gained 12 towns
LOUIS XIV’S LEGACY
1700, Louis’s grandson, Philip of Anjou, promised throne of Spain after Charles II’s death (no heir)
2 greatest powers in Europe now both ruled by Bourbon Family
Countries felt threatened & joined together to fight France & Spain War of Spanish Succession
Louis dies 1715--left a mixed legacy to his country
THIRTY YEARS’ WAR 1618 – 1648: Each religion in central Europe
trying to gain followers; leads to war
2 phases: Hapsburg Triumphs: armies from Austria &
Spain crush troops sent by Protestant princes; defeat German Protestants; put down Czech uprisings
Hapsburg Defeats: Protestants eventually drove Haps out of N. Germany
PEACE OF WESTPHALIA
Ends war in 1648, consequences:1) Weakened Hapsburg sts. Of Spain & Austria2) Strengthens France – gives it German territories3) Made German princes independent of Holy Roman Emperor4) Ended religious wars in Europe5) Introduced new method of peace negotiation6) Most important: abandoned idea of Catholic empire in Europe & recognized Europe as group of independent states now equal to others
ABSOLUTE RULERS IN GERMANY
1. Hapsburgs of Austria (Holy Roman Empire) King Charles VI
2. Hohenzollerns of Prussia – enemies of Hapsburgs King Fredrick William
FREDERICK WILLIAM II (THE GREAT)
MARIA THERESA
Leader of Prussia Followed father’s strict
military rule, but softened laws
Wanted Austrian lands bordering Prussia; invades & begins War of Austrian Succession WON
1756, attacked Saxony & all European allies get involved in war
Ruler of Austria Lost war to Frederick Tried to save face
SEVEN YEARS WAR, 1756-1763
Didn’t change territories in Europe, but Britain on top France lost colonies in N. America & gains sole domination of India
ABSOLUTE RULERS IN RUSSIA: IVAN IV
IVAN IV (THE TERRIBLE) crowned himself czar of Russia had a “good period” and “bad period”
His Time of Troubles led Russian government to choose new line of rulers: Romanov Dynasty
PETER I (THE GREAT), PART I
Believed Russia’s future depends on warm-water port then could compete w/western Europe
Goal of westernization: using Europe as model for change & make Russia stronger
Russian Orthodox Church under state control
Reduced power of landowners (like Ivan IV)
Heavy taxes to pay for army of 200,000
PETER I (THE GREAT), PART II
Introduced potatoes as new staple food
1st newspaper
Women’s status increases b/c have to attend social gatherings
Nobles give up traditional clothes for western fashions
Education key to progress
Russia becoming powerful by his death in 1725