Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Setting the Stage….

• The end of the Middle Ages saw the development of more powerful European

monarchies. As feudalism declined, stronger national kingdoms emerged under the control

of absolute rulers.

Absolute Monarchs

• The 1500-1800s are going to be marked by the rule of absolute monarchs.– Kings or Queens believed that all the power

within their states boundaries rested in their hands. They had complete power.

– Their goal was to control every aspect of society.

• Believed in the divine right—the idea that God created the monarchy and gave the monarch supreme power.

Monarchies spread throughout Europe

• Absolute monarchs are going to become the norm in Europe.– Spanish Empire—Philip II– France—Louis XIV– Russia—Peter the Great– England—Tudor Monarchy

The Spanish Empire

The 1500s brought many new changes to European Life.

RENAISSANCE- Led to new ideas.EXPLORATION- Europe’s conquest of the

Americas will lead to a race for land.REFORMATION- Religious conflicts dominated

European politics as Catholic rulers sought to limit Protestantism.

The Spanish Empire

• Spain will emerge in the 1500s as Europe’s greatest power.

• King Philip II– Devout Catholic like his

father before him.– During 42 year reign he

will strengthen his monarchy, his nation, and the Catholic Church

France’s Ultimate Monarch

• LOUIS XIV“The Sun King”• The kingdom of

France was the strongest at the time of Louis XIV.

• 23 years old when he took the throne

Absolute Monarchs

• The character and policies of Louis XIV, “The Grand Monarch”, would shape the age of absolute monarchs.

• He stated “I am the state”• Used his power and wealth to pursue glory for

himself and for France.• Louis spent a fortune to surround himself with

luxury.– Created the Palace of Versailles.

• Estimated $2.5 billion in 2003• Nearly 500 cooks, waiters and servants

Palace of Versailles

15,000 acres of gardens, lawns, and woods; 1,400 fountains; 2000 rooms

Main building 500 yards long. It was like a small royal city.

Versailles

• At Versailles, Louis XIV held elaborate parties to show the wealth of the crown.

• Louis made the court of Versailles the center of French culture.

• Louis paid the top playwrights of the day, Moliere and Racine, to perform their works for the French people.

Louis XIV

• Louis XIV also purchased many great works of art (Louvre Museum in Paris).

• Louis XIV needed more money to help finance his throne.

• Help came from Jean Baptiste Colbert.

France’s Economic Growth• Colbert served as Louis XIV

finance minister.• Came up with ideas:

– Mercantilism• Prevent wealth from leaving

the country.• Wanted France self-sufficient

– Imports/ Exports• High tariff on goods from

other countries– Balance of Trade– Colonies

• Provided raw materials and a market for manufactured goods.

Louis XIV

• Louis XIV continued to try to expand his empire through conquests.

• Enemies continued to unite to defend themselves.• Louis XIV failed to make any significant gains for

France.– Left a mixed legacy

• France was a powerful country in Europe• France was considered the military leader of Europe• Negative side – constant warfare and construction of the Palace of

Versailles plunged France into staggering debt.

• Louis XIV died in 1715 – News of his death prompted rejoicing throughout France.

What about Russia????

Russia: Peter the Great

• Peter Romanov became known as “Peter the Great”

• Became Czar Peter I of Russia in 1682, the same year Louis XIV moved into Versailles.

• Knew very little about Western Europe

Russia: Peter the Great

• Because of their geographic location and the long rule by the Mongol leaders, Russia was cut off culturally from Western Europe.

• Peter the Great was determined to end Russia’s isolation from the rest of the world.

• Peter traveled through Europe in search of new ideas and culture.

Russia: Peter the Great

• Admired everything he saw in Europe.– Improved the status of

Women– Agriculture (introduced

potatoes)– Started Newspaper (Edited)

• Believed education was a key to Russia’s progress.

Russia: Peter the Great

• Often Peter the Great fired old leaders, hired new leaders from the middle/low class and grant them lands.

• These people were very loyal to Peter.• Created an Army of over 200,000 troops.

Hired European Generals to train military.

St. Petersburg

• Peter wanted a seaport that would make it easier to travel to the West.

• Peter the Great created a great city “a great window for Russia to look out at Europe”

• Named it St. Petersburg after himself.

• St. Petersburg became the new capital.

English Monarchies

• During this time period England is also going to be ruled by a string of monarchs. – However, England’s monarchy will differ from the

other monarchs of Europe in that it would be limited by the Parliament.

• Parliament—a body of representatives that makes laws for a nation.

• Under Queen Elizabeth I, England had frequent conflicts with Parliament. – Many of the arguments were over money– By the time she dies in 1603, she had left a huge debt

for her successor.

• Her cousin James Stuart of Scotland will take over the throne. – She had no children and James Stuart was her

nearest relative.

• James I and Parliament will quickly disagree over the power of the King.

• James I wanted complete power of England

ENGLAND

• In 1625, James I died.

• The feud with Parliament continued to James' son, Charles I when he took the throne.

ENGLAND

• Charles I would ask Parliament for money.– Mostly for wars against Spain

and France.• They refused unless he

signed the Petition of Right (No taxes unless OK’d by Parliament, No imprisonment without reason).

• He quickly dismissed Parliament and ruled as a monarch for the next 11 years.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• 1640, In need of money to finance a war with Scotland, Charles I called on Parliament again.

• This time Parliament made peace with Scotland and made laws to limit the King’s power.

• Upset, King Charles led 400 troops to the House of Commons to arrest its leaders

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• This marked the beginning of the English Civil War.

• This war would determine where power was in England (King or Parliament)

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR• Royalists/Cavaliers:

those that supported the King, included nobles and Catholics.

• Led by King Charles I

• Roundheads: those that were loyal to Parliament. Puritan townspeople and merchants made up this class.

• Led by Oliver Cromwell

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR• Led by Oliver Cromwell, the Roundheads defeated the Cavaliers

and captured Charles I. The outcome of the civil war grants power to Parliament.

• In January 1649, King Charles I was tried for treason and executed.

• This marked the first time a monarch had been tried and condemned by his subjects.

• Oliver Cromwell took over and abolished the monarchy. He established a republican form of government.– Eventually became a military dictator.– He ruled until his death in 1659.

• Parliament asked Prince Charles Stuart to be the new King (Charles I son).– He restored the monarchy and the period of his rule is called Restoration.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• Charles II did not push the “Divine Right of Kings” or Catholicism.

• Restored some rights of the people.

• Following Charles II death, his brother James took over.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• King James II took power.• Strong Catholic

• England again was split into two sides.1. Tories (King)2. Whigs (Parliament)

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• After much negotiating and maneuvering, both the Whigs and Tories agreed that James II must go.

• Mary (daughter of James first wife) and her husband William of Orange took over for James II.

• This bloodless revolution is known as the Glorious Revolution.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

• William and Mary ruled as joint sovereigns.

• Parliament presented the new monarchs with a “Bill of Rights” that all future monarchs must follow.

Bill of Rights

• The implementation of the Bill of rights changed the monarchy into a constitutional monarchy—where laws limited the ruler’s power.

• Under the Bill of Rights the ruler could NOT:– Suspend Parliament laws– Levy taxes without permission of Parliament– Interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament– Impose penalties on people who start petitions

against the king or queen.

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

New Ideas emerged from the Glorious Revolution.

• John Locke published Two Treaties on Government.– People have rights and

government is created to protect those rights.

– Life, Liberty and Property