EQ WHAT DOES THE WORD ABSOLUTE

MEAN? WHERE DOES THE POWER TO

RULE COME FROM? WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? WHAT IS THE WORST THAT A KING

CAN DO TO A PERSON? THE POPE?

The Rise of Absolutism in Europe, 1500-1800

Absolutism: The exercise of complete and unrestricted power of government

Absolute Monarch – a king or queen who has unlimited power and seeks to control all aspects of society, economically, socially and politically.

Divine Right – The idea that the power to rule comes from God. Monarchs are answerable only to God. The people cannot question the will of the monarch.

Causes of Absolutism

1. Growth in trade2. Feudalism declined3. Rise of cities4. Growth of national

kingdoms5. Growth of middle

class6. Decline in Church

power7. Rise of colonial

holdings

Effects of Absolutism1. Power of nobles

reduced2. Individual rights

limited3. Abuse of power &

tyranny4. A desire of the

people to be free!!5. The

Enlightenment

Regroup What were the years during which

absolutism was at its height? What “ism” had to decline in order

for absolutism to rise? How could a king protect a city? Upon which group would taxes be

levied?

Examples of Absolute Monarchs

Philip II of Spain Louis XIV of France Peter the Great of Russia Frederick the Great of Prussia Maria Theresa of Austria Charles I of England

Philip II of Spain1527-1598

In 1556 Philip II becomes king of Spain, the wealthiest, most powerful nation in Europe

Much wealth comes from American colonies

339,000 lbs of gold in 1660

Philip II of Spain1527-1598

Created 50,000 man army Philip defended Roman

Catholicism against Protestantism & Islam

Joined crusade against Ottomans in 1571

Philip II of Spain1527-1598

Attacked Protestant England under Elizabeth I 1588 & lost

Loss severely weakened Spain Spanish riches help stimulate a

golden age in the arts

Golden Age of Spanish Art 16th & 17 century art El Greco & Velazquez Used warm, bright colors Focused on religious themes & on

monarchy Cervantes wrote Don Quixote

Philip II of Spain

The Decline of the Spanish Empire

Such a thing as “too much money” Increase in population led to

increase in demand for food & goods

Prices necessarily go up Too much silver in circulation

made value drop

The Decline of the Spanish Empire

Inflation: Value of money declines (too much

of an item lowers the value) Prices of goods & services

increases

The Decline of the Spanish Empire

To offset inflation taxes should be raised

The less silver in circulation, the more the value will rise

Spanish nobles did not pay taxes Poor never could gain wealth

The Decline of the Spanish Empire

Without gaining wealth, the poor stay poor

With just rich & poor, & no middle class, there will be few businesses & few chances to save the economy

Because of high prices, Spaniards bought their goods abroad

The Decline of the Spanish Empire

Spanish money was flowing into the hands of Spain’s enemies

Philip also spent too much trying to control the Protestant Netherlands

Regroup What was one of the problems that

led to the decline of the Spanish Empire?

What is inflation? What was one of the great

achievements of the Spanish Empire?

Louis XIV of France

The Thirty Years’ War Religious tension in Europe led

to creation of Protestant Union & Catholic League in 1608-09

Spark of war came in 1618 Ferdinand of Austria tried to

crush Protestants in Bohemia

The Thirty Years’ War Protestants revolted & war

began Two parts or phases to war Hapsburg Triumphs &

Hapsburg Defeats

The Thirty Years’ War Hapsburg Triumphs 1618 – 1630 Catholic Austrians & Spaniards

crushed all Catholic army allowed to abuse

Germany as payment

The Thirty Years’ War Hapsburg Defeats 1630 - 1648 Protestant Swedes joined war

in 1630 & tide started to turn Catholic France joined on side

of Protestants!!

The Thirty Years’ War France feared Hapsburgs more

than Protestants French Catholics sent to fight

Austrian & Spanish Catholics Wanted a strong France above

all

The Thirty Years’ War Results: Germany wrecked after war Population down Economy destroyed

Thirty Years’ War Peace of Westphalia (1648) Catholic Hapsburg states

weakened France gained German territory New method of figuring out peace:

everyone sits down to negotiate (less resentment)

Regroup What was the central issue of the

Thirty Years’ War? Where was the war fought

primarily? Why would the Catholic Cardinal

Richelieu want to join with the Protestants in the war against Catholic Austria?

Central Vs. Western Europe

Frederick the Great1712-86

Known as “Great” because of the success of his reforms

Reformed agriculture (brought in crop rotation, the iron plough and crop rotation) and justice system (court of appeals & lessened bribing of judges)

Frederick the Great1712-86

Tolerated almost all religions Personally directed the economy

for the benefit of the army Maintained large army through

heavy taxes on the citizens Peasant education only for reading

& writing– did not want them to know they were in a bad position

Frederick the Great

Maria Theresa of Austria(r.1740-80)

Fought War of Austrian Succession against Prussia

Increased taxes on nobility—why? Strengthened central gov’t at

expense of the local gov’ts Taxed church heavily and

confiscated church lands. Threw Jesuits out of Austria

Maria Theresa of Austria(r.1740-80)

Peter The Great of Russia(r. 1672-1725)