Absolute Monarchs in Europe , 1500–1800

Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800

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Chapter OverviewChapter Overview

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SECTION Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism 1

SECTION France’s Ultimate Monarch 2

SECTION Central European Monarchs Clash 3

SECTION Russian Czars Increase Power 4

SECTION Parliament Limits the English Monarchy 5

21CHAPTER

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Chapter Overview

From 1500 to 1800, absolute monarchs rule in Europe. In countries such as Spain and France, rulers wield great power and build major monuments to their rule. In countries such as England and the Netherlands, constitutional law limits royal power.

21CHAPTER Absolute Monarchs

in Europe, 1500–1800

1579 Netherlands declares independence from Spain.

1649 Puritans under Oliver Cromwell execute English King.

21CHAPTER

Time Line

1500 1800

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Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800

1756 Frederick the Great begins Seven Years’ War.

1533 Ivan the Terrible begins to rule Russia.

1643 Louis XIV begins to rule France.

1697 Peter the Great begins European tour. He later built St. Petersburg to rival European capitals.

In the 1500s, Philip II of Spain becomes the strongest ruler in Europe, helping establish absolute monarchy. But in time Spain weakens, and the Netherlands breaks away from Spanish rule.

OverviewOverview AssessmentAssessment

Key Idea

Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

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MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW

During a time of religious and economic instability, Philip II ruled Spain with a strong hand.

When faced with crises, many heads of government take on additional economic or political powers.

Overview


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AssessmentAssessment

• Philip II

• absolute monarch

• divine right

TERMS & NAMES

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1. List the conditions that allowed European monarchs to gain power. Then list the ways they exercised their increased power.


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Section 1 Assessment

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Decline of feudalism

Rise of cities

Growth of national kingdoms

Growth of middle class

Wealth of colonies

Breakdown of Church authority

Economic and religious crisesRevolts

Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy Increased size of court

Created new government bureaucraciesReduced power of nobles and representative bodies

Absolute Monarch

2. What does the art described in this section reveal about the cultures of Spain and the Netherlands? THINK ABOUT

Section


1

1 Assessment

• what the art of Velázquez and El Greco revealsabout Spain

• what the art of Rembrandt and Vermeer revealsabout the Netherlands

ANSWERANSWER

• Velázquez showed pride of Spanish monarchs.

• El Greco showed Catholic faith in Spain.

• Rembrandt and Vermeer showed the importance of merchants, civic leaders, and the middle class in the Netherlands.

Possible Responses:

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Religious wars plague France in the 1500s. With the rise of Louis XIV, France becomes Europe’s most powerful nation. Louis’s rule extends French power and prestige, but he leads the country into crippling wars.


Key Idea

France’s Ultimate Monarch

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2

After a century of war and riots, France was ruled by Louis XIV, the most powerful monarch of his time.

Louis used his power to build a great palace and sponsor art that is part of France’s cultural legacy.

Overview


• Edict of Nantes

• Cardinal Richelieu

• skepticism

• Louis XIV

• intendant

• Jean Baptiste Colbert

• War of the Spanish Succession


TERMS & NAMES

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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the major events of Louis XIV’s reign.


continued . . .

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1643 1715

Louis becomes

king.

1648-1653

Riots disrupt France.

1661

Louis starts rule.

1667 1672 1685 1701-1713

Louis invades the

Spanish Netherlands.

Louis invades the

Dutch Netherlands.

Louis voids

Edict of Nantes.

Louis fights War of

Spanish Succession.

Louis dies.


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2. Many historians think of Louis XIV as the perfect example of an absolute monarch. Do you agree? Explain why or why not. THINK ABOUT


• the description of an absolute monarch at the end of Section 1

• the ways in which Louis XIV fits that description • any ways in which Louis XIV does not fit the description

ANSWERANSWER

Yes—regulated worship by voiding Edict of Nantes, weakened nobility by using intendants and making nobles live at court, built palace to show power, used mercantilist policies to control economy continued . . .

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Possible Response:


2

3. How did the policies of Colbert and Louis XIV affect the French economy? Explain both positive and negative effects. THINK ABOUT


• Colbert’s attempts to make France self-sufficient • what happened when Louis cancelled the Edict of Nantes • the cost of Versailles and wars

ANSWERANSWER

Colbert’s mercantilism helped economy by building up and protecting French industries.

Louis XIV helped economy by using Colbert’s policies but hurt it by voiding Edict of Nantes, which drove out Huguenots, and by taxing and spending to fund building and wars.

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Possible Responses:

End of Section 2

Central Europe also becomes the scene of devastating wars. The most destructive conflict, the Thirty Years’ War, severely weakens the Holy Roman Empire. Afterward, Austria and Prussia struggle for power.


Key Idea

Central European Monarchs Clash

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After a period of turmoil, absolute monarchs ruled Austria and the Germanic state of Prussia.

Prussia built a strong military tradition in Germany that contributed in part to world wars in the 20th century.

Overview


• Thirty Years’ War

• Maria Theresa

• Frederick the Great

• Seven Years’ War


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TERMS & NAMES

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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Compare Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great.


continued . . .

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1740-1780 1740-1786

Allied with former enemy France

Allied with Austria’s former ally Britain

Lost Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and did not regain it in Seven Years’ War

Gained Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and neither gained nor lost in Seven Years’ War

Imposed limits on nobility

Followed his father’s military policies

Points of Comparison Maria Theresa Frederick the Great

Years of reign

Foreign policy

Success in war

Steps to become absolute monarchs


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ANSWERANSWER

• ended religious wars, allowing Europe to split into Catholic and Protestant areas

• weakened Holy Roman Empire

• recognized Europe as collection of independent states

• began modern way of negotiating

Possible Responses:

2. Name several ways that the Peace of Westphalia laid the foundations of modern Europe. THINK ABOUT

• religious effects • diplomatic effects • political effects

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End of Section 3

Russian rulers begin to dominate the nobility in the 16th and 17th centuries. Under Peter the Great, Russia opens up to the West and becomes a key European power.


Key Idea

Russian Czars Increase Power

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Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like western Europe.

Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture.

Overview


• Ivan the Terrible

• boyars

• Peter the Great

• westernization


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TERMS & NAMES

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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the important events of Peter the Great’s reign.


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continued . . .


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Peter the GreatVisited western Europe

Took control of church Reduced power

of landownersModernized army

Tried to westernize Russia

Fought Sweden for Baltic land

Had St. Petersburg built


ANSWERANSWER

2. Do you think Ivan the Terrible or Peter the Great was more of an absolute monarch? Explain the standards by which you made your decision. THINK ABOUT

• ways that each increased the power of the Russian czar


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• long term effects of each one’s rule

Ivan—Took title czar, which means “caesar”; expanded Russia; gave law code; organized his own police force; persecuted boyars; created new class of nobles. Aimed to increase and protect his own power more than to improve Russia.

Peter—Took control of church; reduced power of landowners; strengthened army; imposed heavy taxes; forced nobles to move to St. Petersburg. Made reforms whether people wanted them or not.

Possible Responses:

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continued . . .


ANSWERANSWER

3. Which of Peter the Great’s actions reveal that he saw himself as the highest authority in Russia? Explain. THINK ABOUT

• steps he took to reduce the authority of others


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• actions that overturned traditional sources of authority in Russia

Possible Responses:

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• showed he saw himself above church by taking control of it

• showed he saw himself above nobility by weakening it and forcing it to westernize

• showed he saw himself above tradition by forcing Western customs on Russia End of Section 4

English kings battle Parliament for power in the 1600s, leading to civil war. Parliament wins, and a Puritan government is formed. The monarchy is later restored, but its power is limited by law.


Key Idea

Parliament Limits the English Monarchy

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Absolute rulers in England were overthrown, and Parliament gained power.

Many of the government reforms of this period contributed to the democratic tradition of the United States.

Overview


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• Charles I

• English Civil War

• Oliver Cromwell

• Restoration

• habeas corpus

• Glorious Revolution

• constitutional monarchy

• cabinet


TERMS & NAMES

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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the causes of each monarch’s conflict with Parliament.


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continued . . .

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Monarch Conflicts with Parliament

James I

Charles I

James II

• Believed in divine right to rule• Wanted large funds to pay for court and wars• Did not make Puritan reforms

• Wanted funds to finance wars• Tried to force all subjects to be Anglican• Resisted Parliament’s attempts to restrict his power

• Flaunted his faith• Named Catholics to high office

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ANSWERANSWER

• He alienated Parliament by dissolving it, ignoring Petition of Right, and trying to arrest Parliamentary leaders.

• He alienated his subjects by imposing fines and fees on them and trying to force them all to be Anglican.

Possible Responses:

2. In your opinion, which decisions of Charles I made his conflict with Parliament worse? Explain. THINK ABOUT

• decisions that lost him the support of Parliament • decisions that lost him the support of his people

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Absolute Monarchs in Europe , 1500–1800