The Age of Absolutism

Spain: Unification•1500’s: first modern European power

•Ferdinand and Isabella had unified the country▫Religion▫Culture▫Goals (Americas)

Spain: Charles V•Grandson of F & I

•Ruled two empires: Hapsburg and Spain

•Fought religious wars vs. Protestants and Muslims

•Becomes frustrated, quits, enters a monastery

Spain: Philip II•Son of C the V

•Ruled for 42 years

•Palace was ‘Escorial’

•Hard worker, ambitious, and expanded Spanish influence

Spain: Philip II•Centralized power to the throne

•Defended the Catholic Reformation▫Fought wars to spread Catholic power▫#1 enemy was England

Spain: War vs. England•Philip sent an armada to invade England

•130 ships, 20,000 men, lots of firepower

•English ships were lighter and faster

•English victory, devastating loss for Spain

Spain: Decline•Begins with defeat of the Armada

Reasons for decline:1. Poor rulers

2. Costly overseas wars

3. Neglect of farming and commerce

Spain: Golden Age•1550 to 1650

•Brilliant art and literature

•Don Quixote▫Europe’s 1st modern novel▫Mocks feudal past

France: Henry IV•Huguenot prince

•“A chicken in every pot”

•Brought peace and unification to France▫Religious toleration▫Strong royal power

•Assassinated in 1610

France: Louis XIV•Became King at 5 yrs. old

•Great grandson of Philip II

•“Sun King”

•“I am the state.”

•Strengthened royal power▫Built strong army

France: Louis XIV•Built a palace at Versailles

▫Symbol of wealth and power

•Rules for 72 years

•Legacy: France is most powerful nation in Europe at time of his death

France: DeclineReasons:

•Costly wars

•Revoking of Edict of Nanthes▫Huguenots left France

England: Parliament•Legislative body

•Monarchs worked closely with Parliament▫$$$$$$$▫Validity

•Most often voted the way King/Queen wanted them to

England: Monarch vs. Parliament•Stuarts take over the throne

•James I clashes with Parliament▫Starts collecting taxes on his own▫Claimed absolute power

•Charles I signed Petition of Right▫Parliament must approve taxes▫Charles ignored it▫Parliament revolts

England: Monarch vs. Parliament•Parliament tried and executed top officials

•Leads to English Civil War

England: Civil War•Why? Who holds the power: Parliament

or Monarch?

•Cavaliers:▫Supported the King▫Wealthy nobles▫Well trained

England: Civil War•Roundheads

▫Supported Parliament▫Country and small town folk▫Puritans▫Led by Oliver Cromwell

•Roundheads win

•King Charles I executed and monarchy is abandoned

England: Oliver Cromwell•Began a Commonwealth

•Attacked Catholics, esp. in Ireland

•Took title of Lord Protector▫Virtual dictator

•After his death, England welcomes back monarchy

England: English Bill of Rights•William and Mary take over the throne

▫Glorious Revolution (bloodless)

•Accepted the English Bill of Rights

•Parliament was now more powerful than the monarch

•Also gives rights to citizens▫Right to a trial by jury, limited freedom of religion

England: Constitutional Gov’t• Political Parties emerge

▫Whigs and Tories▫Reform vs. old traditions

• Cabinet System▫Group of advisors for monarch

• Prime Minister▫Head of the cabinet▫Leader of the majority party in House of Commons▫Today: more power than monarch

Austria and Prussia•Reading Guide

Russia: Peter the Great•Gained power at 10 yrs old

•Not well educated

•Learned about Western Europe▫Changes going on▫Technology ▫Visited W. Europe

Russia: Peter the Great•“Westernized” Russia

▫Brought in experts from Europe▫Tough sell became absolute monarch to

force new ideas

•Solidified control over nobles▫Favorable laws▫Harsh punishments for not changing

customs (beards)

Russia: Peter the Great•Lasting legacies:

1. Built St. Petersburg “window to the West”

2. Created largest country in the world, expanding east

3. Did not end serfdom

Russia: Catherine the Great

•German princess, married to Russian heir

•Russian heir assassinated; Catherine takes throne

Russia: Catherine the Great•Embraced Western ideas

•Ruthless monarch▫More power to nobles, even less to

peasants

•Waged war against Ottoman Empire and won▫Gained Black Sea port▫Peter the Great unable to defeat Ottomans