Absolutism in Eastern Absolutism in Eastern Europe 1600 -1725Europe 1600 -1725

Three Declining EmpiresThree Declining Empires

Eastern Europe in 1648Eastern Europe in 1648The HRE, the Republic of Poland and the The HRE, the Republic of Poland and the

Ottoman Empire occupied the area from Ottoman Empire occupied the area from the French border to Russiathe French border to Russia

All three empires were declining. Each All three empires were declining. Each lacked a strong central authority and lacked a strong central authority and efficient system of governmentefficient system of government

Each of the declining empires contained Each of the declining empires contained diverse ethnic and language groupsdiverse ethnic and language groups

The Holy Roman EmpireThe Holy Roman Empire The reformation left the HRE religiously divided The reformation left the HRE religiously divided

between Catholics and Protestantsbetween Catholics and Protestants The Thirty Years War left the HRE polically The Thirty Years War left the HRE polically

divided into 300 independent statesdivided into 300 independent states The empire had an elected emperor who had The empire had an elected emperor who had

no imperial army, revenues or central authorityno imperial army, revenues or central authority Led by the Habsburgs and the Hohenzollerns, Led by the Habsburgs and the Hohenzollerns,

Austria and Prussia gradually emerged as Austria and Prussia gradually emerged as leading German states.leading German states.

The Republic of PolandThe Republic of Poland On a map of Europe in 1660, Poland appears to On a map of Europe in 1660, Poland appears to

be a large, unified country. In reality, the king of be a large, unified country. In reality, the king of Poland was elected and had restricted powers. Poland was elected and had restricted powers.

Poland did have a central diet. However, action Poland did have a central diet. However, action required the unanimous consent of each required the unanimous consent of each aristocratic member, any member could break aristocratic member, any member could break up the diet at any time.up the diet at any time.

This lack of central power created a power This lack of central power created a power vacuum, leaving it vulnerable to stronger vacuum, leaving it vulnerable to stronger nationsnations

The Ottoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireLed by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Led by Suleiman the Magnificent, the

Ottomans threatened ViennaOttomans threatened ViennaIn the middle of the seventh century, a In the middle of the seventh century, a

series of ambitious rulers revitalized the series of ambitious rulers revitalized the Ottoman. In 1683 a powerful Turkish Ottoman. In 1683 a powerful Turkish army besieged Viennaarmy besieged Vienna

Austrian forces reinforced by Poles and Austrian forces reinforced by Poles and Germans repelled the Turks. This Germans repelled the Turks. This marked the beginning of the Ottoman marked the beginning of the Ottoman decline decline

The HabsburgsThe Habsburgs

The revival of Habsburg powerThe revival of Habsburg power One of the oldest dynasties in Europe (1400). Most One of the oldest dynasties in Europe (1400). Most

of the HRE emperors were Habsburgsof the HRE emperors were Habsburgs Power declined following the 30 yrs war and the Power declined following the 30 yrs war and the

extinction of the Habsburg line in Spainextinction of the Habsburg line in Spain Despite such defeats the Habsburgs maintained Despite such defeats the Habsburgs maintained

power in Austria, Bohemia and Hungary. The power in Austria, Bohemia and Hungary. The treaty of Utrecht gave Habsburgs control of treaty of Utrecht gave Habsburgs control of Naples, Sardinia and Milan in Italy and the Spanish Naples, Sardinia and Milan in Italy and the Spanish NetherlandsNetherlands

The Hapsburg dynasty was able to embrace a The Hapsburg dynasty was able to embrace a large no. of ethic groups through the Catholic faithlarge no. of ethic groups through the Catholic faith

Charles VI and the Pragmatic SanctionCharles VI and the Pragmatic Sanction Charles VI (1711-1740)did have a male heirCharles VI (1711-1740)did have a male heir To ensure secession for his daughter, the To ensure secession for his daughter, the

Pragmatic Sanction was created. It stated that Pragmatic Sanction was created. It stated that the territories of the Habsburg empire was the territories of the Habsburg empire was indivisible and that Maria Theresa would inherit indivisible and that Maria Theresa would inherit the landthe land

England and other foreign powers forced Charles England and other foreign powers forced Charles to make a number of concessions before to make a number of concessions before agreeing to the Pragmatic Sanction. Charles agreeing to the Pragmatic Sanction. Charles died believing he had guaranteed the peace and died believing he had guaranteed the peace and integrity of his realm.integrity of his realm.

Test Tip: Charles VI devoted a lot of Test Tip: Charles VI devoted a lot of time winning European approval for time winning European approval for the Pragmatic Sanction, you should the Pragmatic Sanction, you should know and understand the purpose of know and understand the purpose of it.it.

The Rise of PrussiaThe Rise of Prussia The Hohenzollerns of Brandenburg-PrussiaThe Hohenzollerns of Brandenburg-Prussia

Brandenburg was a small state located between Brandenburg was a small state located between the Oder and Elbe rivers with its center in Berlinthe Oder and Elbe rivers with its center in Berlin

The ruler was one of seven princes who elected The ruler was one of seven princes who elected the Holy Roman emperorthe Holy Roman emperor

The Hohenzollern family became the hereditary The Hohenzollern family became the hereditary rulers in 1417rulers in 1417

1717thth century, the Hohen. Inherited Cleves, land on century, the Hohen. Inherited Cleves, land on the Rhine and the duchy of Prussia on the Baltic.the Rhine and the duchy of Prussia on the Baltic.

These diverse and geographically separated These diverse and geographically separated territories had no natural boundaries, few territories had no natural boundaries, few resources and a pop. Of 1.5 millionresources and a pop. Of 1.5 millionHistoryHistory of Prussia: Kings and Leaders / Hohenzollern - Yo of Prussia: Kings and Leaders / Hohenzollern - YouTubeuTube

Frederick William IFrederick William I

Hohenzollern castleHohenzollern castle

Frederick William, The Great ElectorFrederick William, The Great Elector1640-188 1640-188 Although weak and scattered, the Hohen. Although weak and scattered, the Hohen.

Territory was the second largest in the HRETerritory was the second largest in the HRE Known as the great elector, Frederick began to Known as the great elector, Frederick began to

forge the territories into a strong power. He forge the territories into a strong power. He wanted take part in the Balance of Power wanted take part in the Balance of Power politicspolitics

Demanded and received loyalty from the Demanded and received loyalty from the Junkers (German land owners). In exchange Junkers (German land owners). In exchange they gained total control over their serfsthey gained total control over their serfs

Frederick William I 1713-1740Frederick William I 1713-1740Like the great elector, Frederick William Like the great elector, Frederick William

I was determined to build a strong I was determined to build a strong powerful army. The military doubled in powerful army. The military doubled in size to 80,000, which made it the 3size to 80,000, which made it the 3rdrd or or 44thth largest in Europe largest in Europe

The military became the center of The military became the center of Prussian life and culture. “ Prussia is not Prussian life and culture. “ Prussia is not a state that possesses an army, but an a state that possesses an army, but an army that possesses a state”.army that possesses a state”.

Russia Before Peter the GreatRussia Before Peter the Great

IsolationIsolation Russia was geographically isolated from the rest Russia was geographically isolated from the rest

of Europe. Sweden prevented Russia from of Europe. Sweden prevented Russia from reaching the Baltic Sea while the Ottoman reaching the Baltic Sea while the Ottoman Empire prevented Russia from reaching the Empire prevented Russia from reaching the Black SeaBlack Sea

Russia was culturally isolated from the rest of Russia was culturally isolated from the rest of Europe. The ideas of the Renaissance and Europe. The ideas of the Renaissance and Reformation and all the discoveries of the Age of Reformation and all the discoveries of the Age of Exploration and scientific revolution scarcely Exploration and scientific revolution scarcely affected Russiaaffected Russia

Russia to 1700Russia to 1700

Muscovy (Russia) and surrounding Muscovy (Russia) and surrounding territories, 1533territories, 1533

Peter the GreatPeter the Great1682-17251682-1725

Peter the GreatPeter the Great

Modernizing RussiaModernizing RussiaHad recognized that Russia had fallen Had recognized that Russia had fallen

behind western Europe. Determined to behind western Europe. Determined to learn from rivals, he visited Holland and learn from rivals, he visited Holland and England, where he toured shipyards, England, where he toured shipyards, viewed military equipment and observed viewed military equipment and observed western customs.western customs.

Returned to Russia with vision to grow it Returned to Russia with vision to grow it into a great power, he started with the into a great power, he started with the army and navy. army and navy. Peter the Great - YouTubePeter the Great - YouTube

He did not limit changes to military and He did not limit changes to military and technology. He improved agriculture technology. He improved agriculture with introduction of the potato, with introduction of the potato, strengthened economy by importing strengthened economy by importing skilled workers, liberated Russian skilled workers, liberated Russian women by allowing them to appear in women by allowing them to appear in public without veils. In a famous and public without veils. In a famous and resented act he forced nobles to shave resented act he forced nobles to shave their traditional long beards.their traditional long beards.

Defeating SwedenDefeating Sweden The Thirty Years’ War left Sweden in control of The Thirty Years’ War left Sweden in control of

the Baltic’s entire eastern shore.the Baltic’s entire eastern shore. In 1700, Peter ordered his army to end In 1700, Peter ordered his army to end

Sweden's dominance of the Baltic. The Great Sweden's dominance of the Baltic. The Great Northern War between Sweden and Russia Northern War between Sweden and Russia lasted from 1700-1721lasted from 1700-1721

After suffering initial defeats from King Charles After suffering initial defeats from King Charles XII, Peter eventually won the war, thus gaining XII, Peter eventually won the war, thus gaining access to warm water routes on the Balticaccess to warm water routes on the Baltic

This defeat contributed to Sweden's decline as a This defeat contributed to Sweden's decline as a major European power, while Russia was major European power, while Russia was stepping it up.stepping it up.

Building St. PetersburgBuilding St. PetersburgBegan building in 1703. It was named Began building in 1703. It was named

after his patron saint, St Petersburg after his patron saint, St Petersburg would be “ a great window for Russia to would be “ a great window for Russia to look at Europe”look at Europe”

St. Petersburg quickly became a symbol St. Petersburg quickly became a symbol of Peter the Great’s new and more of Peter the Great’s new and more powerful Russiapowerful Russia

Controlling the BoyarsControlling the BoyarsThe Boyars were the old nobility who The Boyars were the old nobility who

supported traditional Russian culturesupported traditional Russian culturePeter ordered the Boyars to shave their Peter ordered the Boyars to shave their

beards, build elaborate homes in St. beards, build elaborate homes in St. Petersburg and serve in the army of civil Petersburg and serve in the army of civil administrationadministration

Exploiting the SerfsExploiting the SerfsRussia’s peasants did not enjoy the Russia’s peasants did not enjoy the

benefits of Peter the Great’s reforms. benefits of Peter the Great’s reforms. Instead they were conscripted into the Instead they were conscripted into the army and forced to build St. Petersburgarmy and forced to build St. Petersburg

In central Europe, serfs were bound to In central Europe, serfs were bound to the land. In Russia serfs could be sold the land. In Russia serfs could be sold apart from the land. This allowed nobles apart from the land. This allowed nobles to force serfs to work in mines and to force serfs to work in mines and factoriesfactoriesThe Beach Boys - YouTubeThe Beach Boys - YouTube

Evaluating Peter the GreatEvaluating Peter the Great He provided a model of how an energetic and He provided a model of how an energetic and

ruthless autocrat would change a nation. He ruthless autocrat would change a nation. He successfully transformed Russia into a greta successfully transformed Russia into a greta power that would play an increasingly power that would play an increasingly important role in European historyimportant role in European history

His policies increased the disparities between His policies increased the disparities between the nobles and the peasants. Millions of the nobles and the peasants. Millions of exploited serfs formed an estranged class that exploited serfs formed an estranged class that did not share in Russian societydid not share in Russian society

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer The Island Of Misfit Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer The Island Of Misfit Toys - YouTubeToys - YouTube

Test TipTest TipPeter the Great’s momentous reign has Peter the Great’s momentous reign has

been the subject of numerous multiple been the subject of numerous multiple choice questions and free response essays choice questions and free response essays on the APEURO exam. The peter the on the APEURO exam. The peter the Great’s successes include his program of Great’s successes include his program of modernization, construction of St. modernization, construction of St. Petersburg and victory over Sweden in the Petersburg and victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War. However, the Russian Great Northern War. However, the Russian economy continued to exploit serfs.economy continued to exploit serfs.