Absolute Monarchs in Europe1600-1700’s

Anna of Austria, Queen of France (1601-1666)

 Louis XIII of France (1601-1643)

ABSOLUTISM

• Omnipotent monarchs controlled every aspect of society

p. 160

DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS:

• Political and religious doctrine where a Monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving the RIGHT TO RULE DIRECTLY FROM THE WILL OF GOD.

• The king is not subject to the will of his people

• Only God can judge an unjust king

Charles I, being crowned by a hand from a cloud, possibly by God.

“God hath power to create or destroy, make or

unmake, at his pleasure; to give life or send death; to judge…and to be judged (by) none…And the like

power have kings…”

“DIVINE RIGHT”• Romans 13 is one of the passages quoted by those who

talk about a ‘divine right of kings’ or a ‘heavenly right’.

• “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

• 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

p. 160

Causes of ABSOLUTISM:

• Decline in feudalism• Rise of cities• Expanded national kingdoms• Growing middle class • Weakened church authority

p. 161

Effects of ABSOLUTISM:

• Increase in government and bureaucracy• Excessive religious, social and economic

control caused social unrest• Larger military to enforce new laws• Heavier taxes to support expanded

government services• Abuse of power, no checks and balances• Feelings of powerlessness among citizens

Political Essential Question:• Why did the absolute monarchs believe they

were justified in exercising absolute power?

I. ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

CHARLES V• RULED: SPANISH AMERICAS,

AUSTRIA, NETHERLAND,

PARTS OF ITALY• Elected HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR• CATHOLIC who fought Muslims and

Lutherans• Divided Spain’s empire:

Brother Ferdinand - Austria, Holy

Roman Empire

Son Philip II - Spain, Spanish America

1500–1558

p. 155

Charles V European Political Territory

Charles V’s European Religious Territory

Problem Area

PEACE OF AUGSBURG 1555:

• RELIGIOUS TREATY between Charles V and German Lutherans

• A ruler’s faith would determine state religion • TEMPORARILY ENDED THE RELIGIOUS

STRUGGLE BETWEEN LUTHERANS AND CATHOLICS

• Would eventually lead to the 30 Years War

The Religious Peace of Augsburg, 1555

“In order to bring peace to the Holy Roman Empire of the Germanic Nation between the Roman Imperial Majesty and the Electors, Princes and Estates, let neither his Imperial Majesty nor the Electors, Princes, etc., do any violence or harm to any estate of the empire on the account of the Augsburg Confession, but let them enjoy their religious belief, liturgy and ceremonies as well as their estates and other rights and privileges in peace; and complete religious peace shall be obtained only by Christian means of amity, or under threat of punishment of the Imperial ban.

Likewise let all the Estates and Princes who cling to the old religion live in absolute peace and in the enjoyment of all their estates, rights, and privileges.

The ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the Augsburg Confession, dogma, appointment of ministers, church ordinances, and ministries hitherto practiced shall from now cease and the Augsburg Confession shall be left to the free and untrammeled enjoyment of their religion, ceremonies, appointment of ministers.

No Estate shall try to persuade the subjects of other Estates to abandon their religion nor protect them against their own magistrates.

In case our subjects whether belonging to the old religion or the Augsburg confession should intend leaving their homes with their wives and children in order to settle in another, they shall be hindered neither in the sale of their estates after due payment of the local taxes nor injured in their honour.”

PHILIP II

• Added Portugal to Spanish crown• Built up Spanish world-wide

holdings and wealth• Waged political and religious war

with England• His SPANISH ARMADA was

DEFEATED (1588) by English Queen Elizabeth 1

• Left Spain DEFEATED and in debt due to English wars

1527 - 1598

p. 155-157

• British Naval Commander who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE 1588

•The Spanish Armada was dispatched by King Phillip II of Spain in attempt to invade England in 1588. •Queen Elizabeth I of England held the defeat of the armada as one of her greatest achievements, assisting the decline of the Spanish Empire. •The armada had a mission of both political and religious aims. •King Phillip decided he could not defeat the Dutch until he had defeated England first. Long time religious rivalry between Spain and England was hoped to be resolved by King Phillip in the dethroning of Queen Elizabeth, reconverting England to Catholicism. Spanish Fleet: 130 ships and more than 30,000 men •Ships were set on fire to be sent against the armada, producing a panic that broke the Spanish formation. •The Spanish were defeated by England and the armada sailed home with remaining ships that were heavily damaged to Spain; 67 of the original 130 ships reached Spain, most in poor condition.•The War between England and Spain lasted until 1604, despite the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Yet the defeat brought about English nationalism, securing Protestantism as England’s state religion. In contrast, for Spain it was a humiliating defeat, nearly destroying the national treasury of Spain.

The Account of the Battle…

Essential Question:• What is the significance of the defeat of the

Spanish Armada?

Politically?

Economically?

ELIZABETH I• Established the CHURCH

OF ENGLAND • Turned the Scots into

permanent allies• DEFEATED SPANISH

ARMADA• Expanded England overseas• BROUGHT PEACE AND

PROSPERITY, increased foreign trade and exploration, and a flourishing literary culture

1558-1603

• Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

• Came to the throne on the death of her half-sister, Mary I

• Despite receiving many proposals of marriage, Elizabeth remained single

• Solidified Church of England

“The Virgin Queen“

Queen Elizabeth’s

Victory Speech“My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chief strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you all, as you see at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too! And think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm!”

JAMES I• Son of Mary, Queen of Scots • Succeeded Elizabeth I • Balanced religious divisions• Ruled England, Scotland and

Ireland together under one ruler for the first time (UK)

• COMMISSIONED 'KING JAMES' TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE (1611).

• Financial incompetence and immoral behavior ruined his reign

1566-1625

James I: The Kristin Stewart of Kings

CHARLES I• The son of James I • Believed in Divine Right of

Kings • Greatest of all British royal art

patrons and collectors ….but….• CAUSED CIVIL WAR BY

DISMISSING PARLIAMENT, IMPOSING TAXES AND FORCING RELIGIOUS UNIFORMITY

• Defeated , tried as a traitor and was BEHEADED

1600-1649

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR 1624-1651

• Series of armed conflicts over Charles I’s political and religious ruling rights

• Fought between Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers)

CAVALIERS• Loyal to King Charles I

during the English Civil War• Also known as

“ROYALISTS” who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings

• Wore long, curly wigs, wore knee high leather boots, and hats with plumes

ROUNDHEADS• Supporters of Parliament

during the English Civil War• Also known as

“PARLIAMENTARIANS”, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters

• Puritans who wore their hair closely cropped, in contrast to the men of courtly fashion with their long wigs

OLIVER CROMWELL

• Lead Parliamentarians to victory in the English Civil War

• Imposed “martial law” and ruled as a MILITARY DICTATOR over the British Commonwealth

• A strict Puritan who even banned Christmas

1651-1658

CHARLES II 1660-1685

• RESTORED THE MONARCHY

• Led court with liveliness and hedonism

• Brought normality after ten years of puritan rule

• Instituted HABEAS CORPUS Act

“THE MERRY MONARCH”

JAMES II

• CATHOLIC ENGLISH KING

• OVERTHROWN by Netherlands Protestant king and queen William and Mary in bloodless GLORIOUS REVOLUTION

1685-1688

GLORIOUS REVOLUTION 1688

• Permanently ended any chance of Catholicism becoming re-established in England

• PUNISHED CATHOLICS: denied the right to vote and sit in the Westminster Parliament for over a century and the monarch was forbidden to be Catholic or to marry a Catholic

• Catholics were also denied commissions in the army

WILLIAM and MARY

• LIMITED ROYAL POWER by becoming a Constitutional Monarchy (MAGNA CARTA)

• Drafted ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689

• Established Cabinet System: government ministers representing/acting on behalf of major party

1689-1702

• Limited royal power • Ensured feudal rights

First FORMAL DOCUMENT stating that the monarch was as much under the rule of law as his people, and that the rights of individuals were to be upheld even against the wishes of the sovereign

King John

1167 - 1216

MAGNA CARTA 1215

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689

HENRY IV• 1st BOURBON AND

PROTESTANT KING• CONVERTED TO

CATHOLICISM to restore French strength and heal religious divisions

• Signed EDICT OF NANTES 1598: protected Protestant religious freedom

• Son Louis XIII inherits throne, but gives power to minister Richelieu

1589-1610

Louis XIII

CARDINAL RICHELIEU 1624-1642

• Politically ambitious, CATHOLIC MINISTER under Louis XIII

• Suppressed Protestant independence

• Increased government power by weakening nobility

• Involved France in 30 YEARS WAR against Spain, Austria, Netherlands

THIRTY YEARS WAR 1618-1648

• CONFLICT OVER RELIGION/TERRITORY among European ruling families

• German Lutherans joined together against Catholics/Calvinists

• REDUCED GERMAN POPULATION BY 4 MILLION

• RUINED GERMAN ECONOMY/TRADE/AGRICULTURE

• Weakened Holy Roman Empire• Marked beginning modern state system: equal,

independent European nation-states

THIRTY YEARS WAR (1618-1648)

TREATY OF WESTPHALIA 1648

• ENDED 30 YEARS WAR• Gave Germany religious

independence (no longer part of Holy Roman Empire)• ENDED RELIGIOUS WARS

IN EUROPE• Introduced new peace

negotiation method, all stakeholders/participants involved in terms

Signing of the Treaty of Westphalia, 1648

Europe AFTER the 30 Years War

LOUIS XIV• 72 year reign• Increased wealth/trading

power through MERCANTILISM

• Strengthened military• Lived an excessive, luxurious

lifestyle

1643 -1715

MERCANTILISM

• Promoted by Louis XIV’s finance minister Jean Baptiste Colbert

• ECONOMIC POLICY BASED UPON SELF-SUFFICIENCY

• More exported goods, few imported goods• High import taxes/tariffs• Manufacture goods domestically

“THE SUN KING”

Palace of Versailles

MARIA THERESA • Strong , religious,

AUSTRIAN EMPRESS• Lost War of Austrian

Succession (1740) : Austria allied with England to fight against Prussian aggression/expansion

• Fought SEVEN YEARS WAR

• Improved conditions for laborers

• Mother of Marie Antoinette

1717-1780

SEVEN YEARS WAR 1756-1763:

• EUROPEAN LAND CONFLICT FOUGHT ON 3 CONTINENTS:

• Austria allies with France, Russia• Prussia allies with Britain and attacks France

(Saxony)• FRANCE LOST AMERICAN COLONIES• BRITAIN GAINED INDIAN FOOTHOLD

SEVEN YEARS WAR 1756-1763:

FREDERICK THE GREAT

• MILITARY KING OF PRUSSIA (Germany)

• Highly militarized society• Aggressive territorial

expansion policies led to WAR OF AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION

• Encouraged religious tolerance/legal reforms/the arts

1712-1786

IVAN IV

• FIRST RUSSIAN CZAR (Caesar)

• Married Anastasia Romanov• Expanded Russian territory

eastward• Created just code of laws• After Anastasia’s death,

BECAME PARANOID TYRANT

• Had secret police murder enemies

1547-1584

“IVAN THE TERRIBLE” • Grand Prince of

Moscow• Crushed power of

Russian nobility• Turned Russia from a

medieval nation state to a world empire

• Completely altered governmental structure

Killed eldest son, leaving no strong heir

PETER I• ROMANOV Russian Ruler• 7' tall, loud-mouthed, violent,

ruthless• Adopted European policies/customs • MODERNIZED

manufacturing/military• Expanded territory, gaining new

ports to foster economy/trade/travel• MOVED CAPITOL from Moscow

to St. Petersburg• Created centralized Russian

Orthodox Church

1682-1725

"PETER THE GREAT"

•Transformed Russia into 3 billion acre empire

•Modernized military, education system, building the first universities in Russia

•Introduced Western practices, customs, and manners, still practiced today

*Taxed men that had beards and forced the people to wear western style clothes.

The Expansion of RUSSIA Under PETER the GREAT

“ENLIGHTENED EMPRESS OF RUSSIA”•Made Russia one of the great powers of Europe•Gained WARM WATER PORT on Black Sea •ADDED 200,000 SQ MI to Russian territories•Brought new ideas of liberty & equality•Began "Age of Enlightenism"•Last of great absolute monarchs

CATHERINE II 1729-1796

“CATHERINE THE GREAT”