France in the Age of Absolutism

Monarchs of Europe

Period in European history where a monarch ruled a centralized state with aboslute authority.

Monarch had unlimited controlDid not follow any laws but Gods.

Today an absolute monarch is considered

A dictator

Absolutism

Henry IV (4th)Came to French throne in 1589.Been a HuguenotConverted to Catholicism to help bring peace an d

unity to France. Henry issued Edict of Nantes

Guranteed freedom of worship (ended religious wars)

Helped control nobility to regain power.

Strengthening the Monarchy

French tax system was unfairly distributedNobles and member of clergy were exempted from

taxes.People from large cities did not have to pay the royal

tax. To improve system, Henry VII puts Duke of Sully in

charge Could not fix everything, but improved system

dramatically. More money went to French treasury This improved industry and trade.

Henry VII Primary Problem

Henry VII was murdered in 1610. Son was eight years old when he takes over France.

His mother: Marie de Medicis ruled as regent until Louis took throne

in 1617.Weak and Wise King:

Weak: sick and could not concentrate Wise: he chose wise advisors who provided strong

leadership

Louis XIII (13th)

Chief minister to Louis VIIIWorked to take power away from nobles and political

rights away from the Huguenots.Encouraged trade and industry Huguenots: lived in fortified cities that were like states

within states. Made impossible for centralized government. Led military attacks on Huguenot towns. After a year, Richelieu lets them practice own religion and

hold public office, but took away right in fortified cities.Strengthens authority of regional representatives

Intendants: monarchy’s representatives of the king in the provinces that made up France.

Over time, take away financial power away from regional governors and military leaders. Put it in the hands of the king.

Cardinal Richelieu

Began in Prague in 1618Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire

France, Sweden, Denmark vs. Holy Roman Empire (Hapsburg Family).

Richelieu worked on keeping war going but keeping France out.

Most of war took place in Germany and ruined the country.

Treaty of Westphalia ended the war France receives Alsace territory along the Rhine River Weakened Hapsburgs and Holy Roman Empire Independence to Netherlands and Switzerland

Thirty Years War

Ruled for 72 years, longest reign in French history.

Built huge palace at Versailles: moved govt. there

To gain absolute rule, Louis XIV:1. Divine Right of Kings: chosen by God to rule.

1. “I am the state”2. Important nobles forced to live at palace of

Versailles.3. Improve Economic Development: Appointed

Jean-Baptiste Colbert: expert in finance.1. Granted government subsidies

Louis XIV (14th): The Sun King

Section 2

Russia in the Age of Absolutism

Factors separated Russia from Western EuropeBefore 1480, Mongol ruled for 200 years (Asian

influence)Religion: Eastern Orthodox rather than RC or

ProtestantUsed Cyrillic alphabet (communication

problems).Geographic problems

Sweden and Poland blocked Russia from Baltic Sea.

Ottoman Turks controlled coast of Black Sea.Poland and Eastern Europe hurt trade and

commercial contact with Europeans.

Isolation and a New Dynasty

Ivan the terrible centers power on himself, the czar. Ivan dies in 1584.

1613, Michael Romanov is elected as czar.Romanov Family

Large, powerful, and wealthyRuled Russia for next 300 yearsRussia becomes leading European power

Sought to build power of czarSuppressed protests of religious group called

Old Believers.

Leaders

Was ruthless like IvanRussia needed to become more like rest of

Europe.Goal: Acquire water ports on Sea of Azov and

Black SeaProblem: Areas controlled by Ottoman Empire.To defeat Turks, he would need help from

Western Europe.Solution: Disguises as private citizen, visits

Western Europe to ask for help, but they say no. Learns many things about the West.

Peter the Great

Peter improves army’s training and weaponry.Starts long war with Sweden (gains territory on

east coast of Gulf of Finland). Access to Baltic Sea.

Built new city of St. Petersburg in new territory. Moved capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg

(closer to W. Europe)Social Changes

Women: less isolated from societyNobles: Shaved off beards and dressed in

European styles.Government and Economy

Reformed government’s administrationEncouraged manufacturing and foreign trade

Peter had full control of government and church

Westerninzing Russia

Service Nobility: individuals noble’s rank depending on government service. In return, czar granted individual nobles large

estates of serfs.Increases number of serfs in Russia and

worsened conditions.

Nobility

Russian Orthodox Church: Objected interference in traditional church

practices and drive to control entire clergy. Russian nobles:

Angered by Peter’s moves to restructure the government and centralize power towards himself.

Regret

Supported art, science, literature, and theater (Russians did not care for this). Nobles became more westernized (Ex: spoke

French).Expansion of Peter the Great

Still wanted control of Sea of Azov and Black SeaSuccessful war against the Turks=gain most of

north shore of Black Sea.

Catherine the Great

Three nations: Prussia, Austria, and RussiaFirst Partition of Poland:

These three countries seized slices of Polish territory for themselves.

Second Partition of Poland: Same thing happens except with only Russia and

Prussia.Russia gains more than 200,000 square miles

under Catherine the Great. Russia now reached central EuropeForce to consider for balance of power.

Poland

Before Catherine: Russain settlers, Cossacks, expanded eastward.Captured Mongol city of Sibir (access to

Siberia).Fur trade develops (attracts a lot of settlers).

Amur River, Chinese come in contact with Russia.Signed treaty to establish Amur River as border and

established trade relations.Crossed Bering Strait to North America.

Set up colony in AlaskaTrading posts expanded Southward.

Expansion Eastward