Crisis and Absolutism in Europe

The Wars of Religion

Religious Wars

Mid-Late 1500s (16th Century) With the Reformation, Christianity breaks

into different groups – groups don’t get along

Catholicism and Calvinism become militant Win converts and eliminate other’s

authority Main battleground = France

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre 1572 Battle between

Huguenots and Catholics

Huguenots massacred on wedding day of Henry of Navarre (in line to be king) who is Huguenot

Henry IV Henry survives and eventually becomes king but only because…

He converts to Catholicism

Edict of Nantes (1598) – Catholicism official religion (Huguenots rights of worship)

Henry IV

Eventually stabbed for being too wishy-washy

But Henry and other monarchs begin gaining power as Catholic Church loses it

Spain Philip II - “Most

Catholic King” Tries to expand

Spain’s territory and spread Catholicism

Crushed Calvinism in Netherlands

Tried to attack Protestant England…

England

Elizabeth I in power Repealed laws

favoring Catholics Religious tolerance –

though moderate Protestantism ruled

Spanish Armada

Spain’s navy largest of its time

1588 loses major battle to England (and a storm)

Beginning of end of Spain’s power

Spain weakens

Quick wealth from American colonies creates inflation

Buys more (from England and France) than they sell

Spain goes bankrupt

Thirty Years’ War (1618 - 1648) Ends Peace of

Augsburg Fought in Germany,

Austria, Spain Conflict over religion,

territory, and power Originally Catholic vs.

Protestant More on this later

Result of religious wars and crisis…

Absolutism in Europe Theory of Absolutism

• Rulers want to be absolute monarchs (rulers with complete power)

• Believe in Divine Right of Kings (DROK) – idea that monarchs represent God on earth

• Decline of feudalism helps monarchs gain power

• Decline in church authority increases power

• Monarchs impose order by increasing own power

France

France

Louis XIII Son of Henry Weak king, but had

strong advisor Advisor was Catholic

Cardinal (Richelieu)

Cardinal Richelieu

Weakened Huguenots’ power

Wanted to make France strongest country in Europe• puts France in 30

Year’s War

Louis XIV (The Sun King)

L’etat c’est Moi I am the State France is ruled by

Richilieu’s successor Cardinal Mazarin until Louis takes full power (age 23)

Louis XIV

Hated the nobles (scared they would revolt) - weakens their power

Moved nobles into his palace

Ends 30 Years’ War (France becomes strongest country)

Versailles (Louis palace)

500 cooks, waiters, servants

4 men help him get dressed

Versailles cost 2 billion (current equivalency)• 2,000 rooms• 1,400 fountains

End of Louis XIV

People glad when he died

France has no money (spent it all on war)

Leads to French Revolution