Absolutism

Global I: Spiconardi

Absolutism

Absolutism When a king or queen who has unlimited power/centralized control of the government and seeks to control all aspects of society

Divine Right theory that rulers power comes directly from God and the ruler is only responsible to God

Queen Elizabeth (Reign 1558 – 1603) Daughter of Henry VIII Battle w/Parliament

over finances; economy suffers under her reign

Protestant Made strict rules

against Catholics, but didn’t enforce them

Never married/No heirs (“Virgin Queen”)

Supported the arts; arts flourish under her reign (Shakespeare)

Philip II of Spain (Reign 1556 – 1598)

Devout Catholic Drove Muslim Moors

& Jews out of Spain Tortured, killed or

exiled thousands of Protestants

Attempted to aid a Catholic in regaining the throne of France

Philip II of Spain

The Spanish Armada In attempt to re-Catholicize England, he

attacked England with 130 ships & 19,000 soldiers.

Spain loses in shocking defeat Wars and Inquisition cost Spain tons of

money Left Spain bankrupt

Peter the Great of Russia (Reign 1682 – 1725) Westernize and Modernize

Peter believed Russia was years behind the rest of Europe

Invited European engineers, architects, artists, merchants, shipbuilders, and craftsmen to Russia in order to catch the country up to the rest of EuropeWhy was Russia behind the Why was Russia behind the

rest of Europe?rest of Europe?

Peter the Great

Reforms Changed Russian calendar

to coincide with rest of Europe

All noble children (ages 10-15) had to be taught geometry and mathematics

Outlawed beards unless you paid a special tax

Created poll tax to build up manufacturing

Organized a Russian army and built a navy

Louis XIV of France (Reign 1643 – 1715) Known as the “Sun

King” Never dressed

himself Gave nobles the

“privilege” and “honor” of dressing him

Built Palace of Versailles Palace may have cost

over US$2 billion

Louis XIV

A portrait of Louis XIV A portrait of Louis XIV depicting him as the god depicting him as the god

Apollo.Apollo.

•Louis XIV revoked France’s policy of religious tolerance

•A Protestant sect, Huguenots, were intimated and many fled France

•Used the military to bully the Huguenots

•Despite this, Louis wanted to be referred to as, “His most Christian Majesty”

Versailles

Versailles

The Hall of The Hall of MirrorsMirrors

Versailles

Queen’s Queen’s BedroomBedroom

Versailles

King’s King’s BedroomBedroom

AssessmentAssessment

What are some of the commonalities What are some of the commonalities among many of the European absolute among many of the European absolute monarchs of the 17monarchs of the 17thth and 18 and 18thth century century Europe?Europe?

Absolutism

Causes Decline of feudalism

Kings consolidate fiefs Reformation & loss of Church’s authority

Kings no longer have to answer to the Pope Growth of national kingdoms

City-states and territories become countries