The Age of Absolutism…

France In the Age of Absolutism

Henry IV (r. 1589-1610)

– Bourbon King of France, – Huguenot converted to

Catholicism

Edict of Nantes -

France’s Tax System (3

Estates) -

Parisian Exception -

Duke of Sully -

Louis XIII (r 1610-1643)

Cardinal Richelieu – ruled as his chief minister

Goal –

Huguenot Policies –

Indendents -

Shift in Power -

The 30 Years War

• Protestant Uprising

in the Holy Roman

Empire

• Richelieu’s view on

the war

• Effects –

– Treaty of Westphalia

1648

• Fronde Rebellion –

suspicious of France’s

nobility

• The building of Versailles

• Ruled by the Divine Right

of Kings

Louis XIV (r. 1643-1715)

Domestic & Economic Policies

• No decisions w/out

Louis’s approval

• Jean Baptiste Colbert

– financial minister

– Colbert’s policies

• Wars -

Louis XIV’s Wars

• Strongest, most

powerful military in

Europe

• Extend France’s

natural borders

• Balance of power

Russia Today

Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude &

Area with the United States

Topography of Russia

Rich Soil of the Steppes

Chernozen Soil

Siberia “Permafrost”

Average temperatures of January vary from 0 to -50°C, and in July from 1 to 25°C

150,000,000 population.

A former “gulag” Soviet prison camp.

Themes in Russian History

Expansion by conquest.

Need for warm-water ports.

The necessity of a strong, central government.

Michael Romanov (r. 1613-1645)

Romanov Family Crest

Romanov Dynasty(1613-1917)

The Pendulum of Russian History

Pro-WestFor Progress & ChangeEncourage New Ideas,

Technologies, etc.

Anti-WestIsolationist

Xenophobic Ultra-Conservative

Most Tsars

Russian Orthodox Church

Supported by the Military, Boyars (nobility) & peasants

A few Tsars

Intellectual elites

Merchants/ businessmen

Young members of the middle class.

REFORM-MINDEDLEADERS

DEMAGOGUES

Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725)

Main Goal was to Westernize Russia

Foreign Policy

Goal: To end Russia land locked situation

Acquire the Sea of Azov

Land was controlled by the Ottoman Turks

Needed help from Europe & a stronger Russia

Traveled through Europe (secretly)

Attempted to negotiate an alliance – failed

Learned much about the western culture

Russia & Sweden After the Great Northern War

Improved Army training & weaponry using western techniques and strategies

War with Sweden

1721 gained land on the Gulf of Finland

Westernization

Moved capital to Moscow

Social Development

Women

Beards

Encouraged manufacturing and foreign trade

Modernized the army & reformed the government.

The Nobility Under Peter the Great

Nobility & Orthodox Church came under Peter’s control.

Highly centralized government

“Service Nobility” –

Absolute power & the Church

Catherine the Great ( 1762-1796)

Came to power after the murder of Peter III

Catherine the Great ( 1762-1796)

As an Enlightened Ruler:

Supported the arts, sciences, literature & theater

Encouraged foreign investment in underdeveloped areas

Est. the Free Economic Society

Wanted to end serfdom but instead expanded it (1773)

Relaxed censorship & encouraged education for the nobility & middle class

Catherine the Great ( 1762-1796)

On Foreign Policy & Expansion:

Expanded Russian land by 200,000 sq miles

Led 2 successful wars against the Ottoman Empire, annexing Crimea

3 Polish Land grabs

1767 – New Constitution