Absolute Monarchs in Absolute Monarchs in EuropeEurope

Chapter FiveChapter Five

What is absolutism?What is absolutism?

Period of time when Europe’s Period of time when Europe’s monarchs got strongermonarchs got stronger• Monarchs ruled with absolute powerMonarchs ruled with absolute power

Divine Right TheoryDivine Right Theory• Idea that God had chosen the monarch to ruleIdea that God had chosen the monarch to rule

Everyone believes the theory during this Everyone believes the theory during this periodperiod

If you question the king, you question GodIf you question the king, you question God

Europe During the Europe During the Age of AbsolutismAge of Absolutism

Strengths of Absolute MonarchiesStrengths of Absolute Monarchies

EfficiencyEfficiency• Decisions are made by one personDecisions are made by one person

NationalismNationalism• Promoted a common culture and identityPromoted a common culture and identity

StabilityStability• The ruler stays in power until deathThe ruler stays in power until death

WealthWealth• No resistance means a large and No resistance means a large and

powerful empirepowerful empire

Weaknesses of Absolute Weaknesses of Absolute MonarchiesMonarchies

UndemocraticUndemocratic• No collaboration of ideasNo collaboration of ideas

Individual rightsIndividual rights• Often violatedOften violated

StabilityStability• If the ruler was poor, it could affect the If the ruler was poor, it could affect the

country for decadescountry for decades

How to achieve more power?How to achieve more power?

Monarchs gained power generally in Monarchs gained power generally in one of two ways:one of two ways:• Raising taxesRaising taxes

Increased their overall wealth and treasuriesIncreased their overall wealth and treasuries

• Waging warWaging war Victory often led to richesVictory often led to riches

Absolute Monarchy-SpainAbsolute Monarchy-Spain Phillip II (reign: 1554-Phillip II (reign: 1554-

1598)1598)• Fought to protect and Fought to protect and

expand Catholicismexpand Catholicism• Took control of Portugal Took control of Portugal

when its king died when its king died without an heirwithout an heir

• Created an army of about Created an army of about 50K soldiers50K soldiers

The Fall of the Spanish EmpireThe Fall of the Spanish Empire

Inflation and TaxesInflation and Taxes• Spain suffered from a severe economic Spain suffered from a severe economic

declinedecline• Wars cost Spain too much moneyWars cost Spain too much money

Had to declared bankruptcyHad to declared bankruptcy

Absolute Monarchy in FranceAbsolute Monarchy in France Religious Wars and Power StrugglesReligious Wars and Power Struggles

• King Henry of Navarre-converted to King Henry of Navarre-converted to CatholicismCatholicism

Survived the 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Survived the 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (of Huguenots)Massacre (of Huguenots)

Henry’s declaration of religious tolerationHenry’s declaration of religious toleration-Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in -Allowed Catholics and Huguenots to live in peacepeace

• Louis XIII and RichelieuLouis XIII and Richelieu After Henry died, his son took over… After Henry died, his son took over…

Louis XIIILouis XIII

Henry of Henry of NavarreNavarre

Louis XIII and Cardinal RichelieuLouis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIII was a weak KingLouis XIII was a weak King• Had an extremely powerful minister for Had an extremely powerful minister for

support-Cardinal Richelieusupport-Cardinal Richelieu

Who…Who…• Moved against the Huguenots and all Moved against the Huguenots and all

ProtestantsProtestants• Weakened the Nobles power and relied Weakened the Nobles power and relied

on the middle class insteadon the middle class instead

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIV Comes to PowerLouis XIV Comes to Power

Louis XIV, the Boy King (1643)Louis XIV, the Boy King (1643)• Was not the true leader until 1661Was not the true leader until 1661• Cardinal Marazin ran the countryCardinal Marazin ran the country

Louis Weakens the Noble’s AuthorityLouis Weakens the Noble’s Authority• Excluded the Nobles from his councilExcluded the Nobles from his council• Loses his influence over the same Loses his influence over the same

people who gave the Monarchy its true people who gave the Monarchy its true powerpower

The Sun King’s Grand StyleThe Sun King’s Grand Style

King Louis spent much money on his King Louis spent much money on his personal life (servants, food, etc.)personal life (servants, food, etc.)• Especially the Palace at VersaillesEspecially the Palace at Versailles

Louis Controls the NobilityLouis Controls the Nobility• Forced Nobles to be at the palaceForced Nobles to be at the palace

Making them dependant on the KingMaking them dependant on the King Forced them from their homesForced them from their homes

Patronage of the ArtsPatronage of the Arts• Palace was the center of European artsPalace was the center of European arts

Louis XIV“The Sun King”

The Palace at Versailles

The Palace at VersaillesThe Palace at Versailles

Bedroom of Louis XIV

Death of Louis XIV and LegacyDeath of Louis XIV and Legacy

Louis died in 1715Louis died in 1715• Positive LegacyPositive Legacy

France much more powerfulFrance much more powerful At the top of art, literatureAt the top of art, literature Military leader of EuropeMilitary leader of Europe

• Negative LegacyNegative Legacy Constant warfare and construction Constant warfare and construction Deep debtDeep debt Unfair tax system Unfair tax system

States Form in Central EuropeStates Form in Central Europe Economic Contrasts with the WestEconomic Contrasts with the West

• Serfdom still strong in eastern EuropeSerfdom still strong in eastern Europe Weak EmpiresWeak Empires

• Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire • Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire

The rise of Austria and PrussiaThe rise of Austria and Prussia• Due to the end of the Holy Roman Due to the end of the Holy Roman

EmpireEmpire

Ottoman Empire

HRE

Prussian Empire

Austrian-Hungarian Empire

States Form in Central EuropeStates Form in Central Europe

Weak EmpiresWeak Empires• Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire • Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire

The rise of Austria The rise of Austria and Prussiaand Prussia• Due to the end of Due to the end of

the Holy Roman the Holy Roman EmpireEmpire

States Form in Eastern EuropeStates Form in Eastern Europe

Austria Grows StrongerAustria Grows Stronger• Gains Hungary and Gains Hungary and

BohemiaBohemia• Wiped out ProtestantismWiped out Protestantism

Maria Theresa Inherits Maria Theresa Inherits the Thronethe Throne• Fought constantly with Fought constantly with

PrussiaPrussia• Limited the labor that Limited the labor that

nobles could force nobles could force peasants to dopeasants to do

States Form in Eastern States Form in Eastern EuropeEurope

Austria Grows Austria Grows StrongerStronger• Gains Hungary Gains Hungary

and Bohemiaand Bohemia• Wiped out Wiped out

ProtestantismProtestantism

Prussia Challenges AustriaPrussia Challenges Austria

The Rise of PrussiaThe Rise of Prussia• Became a rigidly controlled, highly Became a rigidly controlled, highly

militarized societymilitarized society• Controlled by the King and the Junker Controlled by the King and the Junker

class – landowning noblesclass – landowning nobles Frederick the GreatFrederick the Great

• Very practical leader – ruler as fatherVery practical leader – ruler as father• Atheist- established religious tolerationAtheist- established religious toleration• Very aggressive in foreign affairsVery aggressive in foreign affairs

Prussia Challenges AustriaPrussia Challenges Austria

War of Austrian War of Austrian SuccessionSuccession• War between Prussia War between Prussia

and Austria (1740)and Austria (1740)• Fought for control of Fought for control of

Silesia (iron, textiles)Silesia (iron, textiles)• France helped Prussia, France helped Prussia,

England and AustriaEngland and Austria• Prussia wins in 1748, Prussia wins in 1748,

becoming a major becoming a major European powerEuropean power

The Absolute Rulers of RussiaThe Absolute Rulers of Russia

The First CzarThe First Czar• Ivan IV (“The Terrible”)Ivan IV (“The Terrible”)

became czar (caesar) in 1533became czar (caesar) in 1533 Took control over the noblesTook control over the nobles

• Rule by TerrorRule by Terror Police force organized to track down and Police force organized to track down and

murder “traitors” to Ivanmurder “traitors” to Ivan Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the Killed many nobles (boyars) and gave the

land to new, more loyal noblesland to new, more loyal nobles

Ivan IVIvan IV

The Absolute Rulers of Russia The Absolute Rulers of Russia (cont)(cont)

Rise of the RomanovsRise of the Romanovs• After Ivan IV’s death (1584), there was a After Ivan IV’s death (1584), there was a

power vacuumpower vacuum• ““Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling Time of Troubles” – nobles struggling

for powerfor power• 1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as 1613 Michael Romanov was chosen as

the next czarthe next czar Romanov Dynasty 1613-1917Romanov Dynasty 1613-1917

Peter the Great Comes to PowerPeter the Great Comes to Power1689-17251689-1725

Peter visits the WestPeter visits the West• Wanted to learn about European Wanted to learn about European

customs and manufacturing techniquescustoms and manufacturing techniques

Peter the GreatPeter the Great

St. PetersburgSt. PetersburgThe Cathedral of the Spilled Blood

Parliament Limits the English MonarchyParliament Limits the English Monarchy Monarchs Defy ParliamentMonarchs Defy Parliament

• King James’s ProblemsKing James’s Problems Offended Puritan members of ParliamentOffended Puritan members of Parliament Fought over moneyFought over money

• King Charles I Fights ParliamentKing Charles I Fights Parliament Wanted money, Parliament refused each Wanted money, Parliament refused each

time – he dissolved Parliament time – he dissolved Parliament Parliament forced him to sign the Petition of Parliament forced him to sign the Petition of

Right – took power from KingRight – took power from King• He did, but then just ignored itHe did, but then just ignored it

On a side note…

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta 1. 1. Henry II’s son, Henry II’s son,

Richard the Lion-Hearted Richard the Lion-Hearted assumed the throne after assumed the throne after his deathhis death

2.2. Richard’s brother Richard’s brother John, an unpopular king, John, an unpopular king, followed him and fights a followed him and fights a costly & unsuccessful war costly & unsuccessful war with Francewith France

3.3. People don’t like to People don’t like to lose moneylose money

4.4. Those with money Those with money ( the English nobles)( the English nobles) rebelled & forced John to rebelled & forced John to grant guarantees of grant guarantees of certain traditional political certain traditional political rights in the form of…rights in the form of…

……presented their demands to him in written form as the presented their demands to him in written form as the Magna Carta (Great Charter).Magna Carta (Great Charter).

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta

Served as the major source of Served as the major source of traditional English respect traditional English respect for individual rights & for individual rights & liberties…liberties…

served as a contract between served as a contract between

the king & nobles of Englandthe king & nobles of England It implied the idea that It implied the idea that

monarchs had to govern monarchs had to govern according to common law according to common law not divine lawnot divine law

King James then King CharlesKing James then King Charles

As king, James I continued to ignore parliamentary As king, James I continued to ignore parliamentary courts, which used common law. courts, which used common law. because of this…because of this…

The people began to accuse the king of tyranny.The people began to accuse the king of tyranny.

Then came King CharlesThen came King Charles

Parliament Overthrows the KingParliament Overthrows the King

The troubles under James became explosions under The troubles under James became explosions under his son, Charles I, who became king in 1625. his son, Charles I, who became king in 1625.

He asked Parliament for money in 1628.He asked Parliament for money in 1628. In return for money, Parliament tried to limit royal power In return for money, Parliament tried to limit royal power

further with the Petition of Right ( document against theories further with the Petition of Right ( document against theories of absolute monarchy).of absolute monarchy).

It demanded an end toIt demanded an end to

• • taxing without Parliament’s consenttaxing without Parliament’s consent

• • imprisoning citizens illegallyimprisoning citizens illegally

• • housing troops in citizens’ homeshousing troops in citizens’ homes

• • maintaining military government in peacetimemaintaining military government in peacetime

The End of Charles IThe End of Charles I

1.1. Charles agreed to sign the petition.Charles agreed to sign the petition.

2.2. Then, he ignored the commitments secured in the Then, he ignored the commitments secured in the document.document.

3.3. Charles dismissed Parliament in 1629 and refused to Charles dismissed Parliament in 1629 and refused to convene it again. convene it again.

4.4. Parliament passed laws to reduce the power of the Parliament passed laws to reduce the power of the monarchy, angering the king. Grievances continued to monarchy, angering the king. Grievances continued to

growgrow..5.5. In 1642, the English Civil War broke out; Royalists, who In 1642, the English Civil War broke out; Royalists, who

upheld the monarchy, were opposed by antiroyalists, upheld the monarchy, were opposed by antiroyalists, who supported Parliament.who supported Parliament.

English Civil WarEnglish Civil War

War Topples a KingWar Topples a King• Parliament tried to limit the powers of Parliament tried to limit the powers of

King Charles I – starts a war insteadKing Charles I – starts a war instead• English Civil War (1642-1649)English Civil War (1642-1649)• Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. RoundheadsRoyalists (Cavaliers) vs. Roundheads• Puritan Roundheads wonPuritan Roundheads won

Tried, convicted and executed Charles ITried, convicted and executed Charles I• Never had a monarch been tried and executedNever had a monarch been tried and executed

English Civil War (cont)English Civil War (cont)

Oliver Cromwell’s RuleOliver Cromwell’s Rule• General during the war who now led the General during the war who now led the

countrycountry• Established a republican governmentEstablished a republican government• Had to squash a rebellion in IrelandHad to squash a rebellion in Ireland

Puritan MoralityPuritan Morality• Sought to reform societySought to reform society• Abolish sinful activities – sports, theaterAbolish sinful activities – sports, theater• Religious toleration for all except CatholicsReligious toleration for all except Catholics• Cromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsedCromwell ruled until death, gov’t collapsed

Charles ICharles I

Commanded by their leader Oliver Cromwell, antiroyalists won Commanded by their leader Oliver Cromwell, antiroyalists won control of the government…control of the government…

Soon afterSoon after

……Charles was condemned as a “tyrant, murderer, and public Charles was condemned as a “tyrant, murderer, and public enemy” and, in 1649, was executed.enemy” and, in 1649, was executed.

Establishment of Constitutional MonarchyEstablishment of Constitutional Monarchy

1.1. After Charles’s execution, Cromwell established a republic After Charles’s execution, Cromwell established a republic called the Commonwealth of England.called the Commonwealth of England.

After failing to gain full support from Parliament…After failing to gain full support from Parliament…

2.2. In 1653 he dissolved Parliament and created a government In 1653 he dissolved Parliament and created a government called the Protectorate. He named himself Lord Protector, called the Protectorate. He named himself Lord Protector, in effect becoming a military dictator.in effect becoming a military dictator.

3. Cromwell’s son Richard is a failure leading to him resigning 3. Cromwell’s son Richard is a failure leading to him resigning and in 1660, a new Parliament restored the monarchy and and in 1660, a new Parliament restored the monarchy and invited Charles Stuart, the son of Charles I, to take the invited Charles Stuart, the son of Charles I, to take the throne. throne.

Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell

Restoration and RevolutionRestoration and Revolution Charles II ReignsCharles II Reigns

• Restored the Monarchy of EnglandRestored the Monarchy of England• Reformed the legal systemReformed the legal system

James II and the Glorious RevolutionJames II and the Glorious Revolution• King James offended many b/c of his King James offended many b/c of his

CatholicismCatholicism• Parliament worried of a Catholic line of KingsParliament worried of a Catholic line of Kings• James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her

husband William were asked by Parliament to husband William were asked by Parliament to overthrow Jamesoverthrow James

• William invaded, and James fled – Bloodless William invaded, and James fled – Bloodless Revolution known as the Glorious Revolution Revolution known as the Glorious Revolution

King Charles II and King James IIKing Charles II and King James II

England’s Legacy & InfluenceEngland’s Legacy & Influence

Parliament had established its right to limit the English Parliament had established its right to limit the English monarch’s power and to control succession to the monarch’s power and to control succession to the throne, making it a constitutional monarchy, in which throne, making it a constitutional monarchy, in which the powers of the ruler are restricted by the the powers of the ruler are restricted by the constitution and the laws of the country.constitution and the laws of the country.

This was done through the…This was done through the…

English Bill of RightsEnglish Bill of Rights

In 1689, William and Mary accepted from Parliament a In 1689, William and Mary accepted from Parliament a The English Bill of Rights which limited the The English Bill of Rights which limited the monarchy’s power and protected free speech in monarchy’s power and protected free speech in Parliament.Parliament.

Ruler cannot:Ruler cannot:• Suspend Parliament’s Suspend Parliament’s

lawslaws• Levy taxes without Levy taxes without

permissionpermission• Interfere with freedom of Interfere with freedom of

speechspeech• Penalize a citizen who Penalize a citizen who

criticizes the Kingcriticizes the King

Limits On A Monarchs PowerLimits On A Monarchs Power

Bill of RightsBill of Rights• William and Mary established a William and Mary established a

constitutional monarchyconstitutional monarchy• Limits on royal power increasedLimits on royal power increased

Cabinet System DevelopsCabinet System Develops• Became the link between the King and Became the link between the King and

Parliament - advisors to the KingParliament - advisors to the King• Leader of the majority party heads the Leader of the majority party heads the

cabinet – Prime Ministercabinet – Prime Minister

1.1. The United States adopted many of the government The United States adopted many of the government reforms and institutions that the English developed in this reforms and institutions that the English developed in this period. including…period. including…

Habeus corpusHabeus corpus freedom of speechfreedom of speech

freedom of worshipfreedom of worship strong executive and legislative governments checking each strong executive and legislative governments checking each

otherother

2.2. From Magna Carta to Bill of Rights, these legal and From Magna Carta to Bill of Rights, these legal and political developments, along with the ideas of the political developments, along with the ideas of the Enlightenment, would give rise to democratic revolutions Enlightenment, would give rise to democratic revolutions in America and France in the late 18th century.in America and France in the late 18th century.

Why This Is Important?Why This Is Important?