Download Chapter 16: The Age of Absolutism: 1550

Chapter 16: The Age of Absolutism: 1550- 1800
Chapter 16, Section 1: Spanish Power Grows
In 1519, Charles V, the king of Spain and ruler of Spanish colonies in America inherited the Hapsburg
Empire (this included the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands.) Ruling two empires meant
constant religious warfare. Area so large became impossible to manage.
Charles V abdicated the throne. He divided his kingdom between his brother Ferdinand and his son
Phillip.
Phillip II strengthened the Catholic Church. He made his power an absolute monarchy (ruler with
complete authority over government and lives of the people.) His right to rule came directly from God!
He was dedicated to defend the Catholic Church against Protestant Reformation. Phillip felt he needed
to rid himself of his enemies. Number one enemy was Elizabeth I of England, chief Protestant enemy.
Phillip prepared a huge armada, or fleet, to carry invasion force to England. English ships were faster
and easier to maneuver than the Spanish ships. A Storm struck, English called “the Protestant Wind,”
sinking half the armada. English defeated the Spanish Armada. Wars were costly and contributed to
Spain’s economic problems.
Phillip was a supporter of the arts and learning: 1550-1650, a time known as Siglo de Oro or “golden
age.”
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El Greco- famous religious paintings
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Miguel de Cervantes- wrote Don Quixote
Section 2: France Under Louis XIV
French Huguenots vs. Catholics (St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre)
Thousands of Huguenots massacred on this day. Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes to protect
Protestants. He granted the French Huguenots religious toleration and other freedoms. Henry IV was
assassinated. His nine year old son, Louis XIII, inherited the throne. Cardinal Richeliue appointed as
chief minister: He sought to strengthen royal power and crush any of those who did not bow to royal
authority.
In 1643, five year old Louis XIV inherited the French throne. When his chief minister died, he decided to
take complete control of the throne. He believed in “divine right.” He called himself the Sun King to
symbolize his vital role within the nation.
Appointed Royal Intendants
These officials: Collected taxes, Recruited soldiers, Carried out policies in the provinces .
Louis appointed finance minister, Jean Baptiste Colbert. To fuel the country’s economy, he expanded
commerce and trade. Taxes help finance the king’s extravagant lifestyle. Louis XIV transformed a royal
hunting lodge into the grand palace of Versailles. Palace represented the king’s great power and
wealth. In a ritual known as the levee, or rising, high-ranking nobles would compete for the honor of
handing the king his shoes. (What is the real purpose?) Keep nobles support and prevent them from
becoming too powerful. Under Louis XIV, France became the strongest state in Europe. Prosperity
began to erode because of Louis’s policies: Fought costly wars, Revoked the Edict of Nantes (driving out
100,000 Huguenots out of France.)
Section 3: Parliament triumphs in England
England ruled by the Tudors. The Tudors ruled by “divine right.” Tudors kept good relations with
Parliament.
Stuart’s come to power. King James I, became the first Stuart king. He inherited the throne from
Elizabeth I, after she died childless in 1603. He claimed absolute power. Parliament resisted the king’s
claim.
James I vs. Dissenters. James disagreed with parliament over money. Dissenters were protestants who
disagreed with the Church of England. Puritans was one of the groups. Puritans wanted: Simpler
services, more democratic services, no bishops.
In 1625 Charles I inherits throne. He believed in absolute monarchy. Tension became great between
Charles I and Parliament. English Civil War breaks out lasted from 1642- 1651: Supporters of Charles I
were known as Cavaliers. Supporters of Parliament were known as Roundheads. Oliver Cromwell,
leader of Parliament forces, and guided them to victory. In 1649, Charles I was beheaded.
House of Commons abolished the monarchy, declared England to be a republic under Cromwell. Many
new laws reflected Puritan Beliefs. Cromwell did not tolerate open worship for Catholics. He respected
other Protestant faiths and welcomed Jews back to England. People hated strict Puritan ways.
Cromwell dies in 1658. Parliament invites Charles II to return to England as king.
Charles II’s successor, James II, was forced from English throne in 1688. Protestants feared that he
planned to return the Roman Catholic Church to power in England. Parliament offered the crown to
James’s Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William. William and Mary take the throne but are
forced to accept the English Bill of Rights. This helped establish a limited monarchy. This bloodless
overthrow of James II was known as the Glorious Revolution.
Britain becomes a constitutional government- power was defined and limited by law. Cabinet sets
policy. Development of the oligarchy- a government that was run by a powerful few.
Section 4: Rise of Austria and Prussia
By 17th century the Holy Roman Empire had become a mix of several hundred small, separate states.
Holy Roman Emperor was chose by seven leading German princes called electors (remember Martin
Luther?) Emperor had very little power over the numerous princes. This power problem led to several
wars.
Thirty Year War began when Ferdinand, the Catholic Hapsburg king of Bohemia, wanted to suppress
Protestants and declare royal power over nobles. This led to widespread war in Europe. The war
devastated the German states. During the Thirty Years’ War, mercenaries, or soldiers for hire, were used
to burn villages, destroyed crops, murdered and tortured villagers. The acts of the mercenaries led to
famine and disease, thus caused depopulation, or reduction in population.
In 1648 series of treaties known as the Peace of Westphalia were established. Austria was becoming a
strong Catholic state; a region within the German states called Prussia emerged as the new Protestant
power. In 1713 Prussian ruler Frederick William I came to power. He created a new bureaucracy and put
great emphasis on military power.
Maria Theresa became empress after her father’s death in 1740. Frederick II of Prussia seized the
Hapsburg province of Silesia. Eight-year war, War of Austrian Succession, began. Maria Theresa tried to
force Frederick II out of Silesia, but was unsuccessful. She was able to preserve her empire and won
support of her people. She strengthened Hapsburg. By 1750’s European powers included: Austria,
Prussia, France, Britain, Russia (Austria vs. Prussia.)
Section 5: Absolute Monarchy in Russia
In 1600s, Russia was isolated from the rest of Western Europe and remained a medieval state. Tsar,
Peter the Great, transformed Russia into a leading power.
Peter the Great modernized Russia through a policy of westernization- adopting western ideas,
technologies, and culture. Peter became an autocratic monarch- one who ruled with unlimited
authority. All institutions were under Peter the Great’s control. He executed anyone who resisted the
new order. He forced boyars- land holders- to serve the state or military positions. Increased military
power and extended Russia’s borders.
Russia lacked a sea port, which would increase trade with the west. The Black Sea would have been the
nearest port, but controlled by the Ottoman Empire. He could not defeat the Ottomans. Determined
to expand Russia’s territory, Peter would wage war on Sweden, winning land along the Baltic Sea. He
built the new capital, St. Petersburg (take a shot who it was named after.) It became a symbol of
modern Russia. Peter dies in 1725, but leaves his legacy.
In 1762, Catherine ruled as an absolute monarchy. She embraced western ideas and expanding Russia’s
borders. Under her rule, laws were codified. She supported state education for boys and girls. After
waging war, she defeated the Ottoman Empire, thus giving Russia a warm water port on the Black Sea.