Download KAGAN 13 SG_S 5-8 - roadrunner-APEH

KAGAN Chapter 13 Study Guide: Sections 5 - 8

Overview: Whereas previous chapters have had very distinct themes (the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of
Absolutism, etc.), this one is different. The overriding theme revolves around what it took to be successful and increase
national power during this period. According to most historians, success depended upon the ability of a nation to create a
strong national government (that controlled its own military), largely imitating the one set up by Louis XIV and France.
The ones that succeeded in bringing local/noble powers under the influence of a centralized national power included
England, France, Austria, and Prussia. The failures included Spain, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, the Ottoman
Empire, Sweden and Poland. On top of this major theme, there were a number of contributing ones. These included:

The Decline of Traditional Powers: Several nations that were strong in the 17 th century, or 1600s, began to decline in
political influence during the 18th century. These states included Spain and the Netherlands, though the latter continued to
play a strong role in European banking, as well as several eastern European nations (such as the Ottoman Empire, Sweden
and Poland).
France After Louis XIV: For all of the strength and unity that Louis XIV brought to France, he also left a rather
troublesome legacy. Louis XV inherited an enormous national debt, and a nation full of nobles who felt obliged to
increase their own powers within government. While this was nothing new, these same nobles lacked any experience and
possessed limited skill in the realm of governance; Louis XIV certainly made it easy for the nobility to lose much of these
traits the nobles’ ancestors might have possessed. Though France continued to be one of Europe’s primary powerplayers, its coming revolution can be seen those using the historical gift of hindsight.
Emergence of Parliament in England: Following the Glorious Revolution, Parliament began its ascendancy in English
politics. The introduction of the German-speaking kings from the House of Hanover also helped increase Parliamentary
powers, as the kings sought assistance from a single “Prime” Minister. The first to dominate this position, Robert
Walpole, would create a strong precedent for Parliamentary power. While many see England as a haven for democracy, it
should also be pointed out that a very small percentage of the English population had any real representation in
Parliament.
Protecting the “Shell’- Challenges for the Hapsburg HRE: Following the Peace of Westphalia and its dramatic weakening
of the Holy Roman Empire, the Hapsburgs began focusing their attention on their personally- controlled eastern lands
within the empire, what would become Austria and Hungary. In this area, the Hapsburgs fought first against resistance
from the Ottoman Empire, but then also against efforts by its constituent states to break apart from Hapsburg control.
One of the earliest threats in this regard occurred with the coronation of Maria Theresa. If domestic problems were not
enough for the Hapsburg empress, Prussia’s Frederick the Great’s international challenges certainly would be.
Rise of Absolutism in the East: In two states of Eastern Europe, absolutism would become a way of political life.
Brandenburg-Prussia, under the direction of the Hohenzollern line of kings, would eventually become the strongest state
in the Holy Roman Empire. In the late 17th century (1600s), the Hohenzollern princes set the stage for the development
of one of Europe’s strongest military societies. Just to the east of Brandenburg-Prussia, Peter (the Great) Romanov
tirelessly worked to “westernize’ his nation of Russia, seeking to raise its power, influence and ability to that of the
western European standard.




Key Questions: Spain / Netherlands
1. Explain why Spain’s economic policy doomed its future prosperity, and how failures of the monarchy kept a centralized
government structure from forming in time for the nation to maintain its traditional power.
2. Describe the role of each of the following in keeping the United Provinces of the Netherlands from maintaining the
powerful momentum it had built up in the 17th century:
 lack of a strong stadtholder (central political figure of Provinces)
 loss of economic position as Europe’s “truckers” (role of shipping & effect of England’s Navigation Acts in
17th century)
Helpful Hints:
To understand the necessity of having a strong central ruler, imagine if the United States did not have a President or a strong
federal (central) government. That would mean that each state would control all of its own affairs. Florida would have very
different interests than other states, and it would not set up efficient policy that would allow for cooperation. Taxes would be
imposed by each state on goods imported from other states, preventing efficient trade from developing on a national level
(imagine Florida putting a tax on imported peaches from Georgia; Georgia would respond with taxes on Florida’s oranges and
other products exported from Florida. Eventually, the two might even develop rivalries that could lead to war between two
states within one country). In addition, the lack of a national army would limit the effectiveness of a nation’s ability to defend
itself. Florida might refuse to send troops to the far northern reaches of the country since it wouldn’t feel immediately
threatened by a Canadian invasion. Similarly, Idaho would have little incentive to fund a national navy that would go to
protecting Florida’s coastline. Since Spain and the United Provinces each had many “states” with many varied interests, and
since each nation lacked the strong central government to organize its affairs, the nations began a steep decline in international
prestige.
KAGAN Study Guide Chapter 13
1
Helpful Hints for later France/England:
 Understanding the Mississippi Bubble Fiasco (France) and the collapse of the South Sea Company (Britain) can be
rather simple if it is explained in layman’s terms. First, one has to understand the idea behind paper money. Both of the
pieces of paper known as $1 bills in my wallet can be used as payment for goods in any store in this country. However,
no store will accept a piece of paper from my notebook as payment. The only reason the dollar bills are worth anything at
all is because the government of the United States promises to pay whoever holds the dollar for it. Theoretically then, if
you wanted to ask the government for $1 worth of gold for every dollar that you hold, the federal treasury would pay you
that amount. Until the mid-20th century, the United States maintained a policy known as the “Gold Standard,” meaning
that the government would print no more dollar bills than it could back up with actual gold held in reserve (in government
banks).
 Post-Louis XIV France was feeling the effects of way too many years spending way too much money. The government
debt was staggering, and the French wanted to find a way to fix the problem. To pay for the wars of Louis XIV, the
French government had issued bonds. Citizens can buy bonds from the government one year (say 1700), and then the
government will pay the person the cost of the original bond plus interest at a later date (say, 1715). It is an easy way for
the government to get loans from its own citizens.
 The regent for King Louis XV, the duke of Orleans, decided that his government could operate with less gold if it issued
paper money to its citizens. The government give bondholders paper money that the government promised was equal to
the amount of gold the person was owed. This way, the government would not need to part with its limited amount of
gold needed to trade with other countries, but it could still pay back its creditors/citizens. This system works fine, as long
as people continue to accept the paper money and don’t all try to cash in the paper for gold.
 To further complicate things, John Law, the chief financial advisor to Louis XV and the duke of Orleans, set up a
company called the Mississippi Company, which held a monopoly on the right to trade with the French colony of
Louisiana. Law convinced many people to invest a great deal in this monopoly, and at first those people did very well for
themselves. However, many smart investors realized that the system of paper money in France was on shaky ground.
Thus, they cashed out their stocks that they owned in the Mississippi Company, and went to the bank to demand payment
in gold for the paper money they held. As more and more people became skeptical of the value of the paper money, more
and more people went to the banks to demand gold. Problem was, the government did not possess enough gold to pay
everyone back for the paper money that was issued. Thus, the government was forced to take away people’s right to trade
in the paper for the gold. This meant that the paper people were holding became useless (and had no real value), and
many people lost a great deal of money in this matter. The significance of this was that the government simply canceled
its debts, basically telling its own citizens “We know that we owe you this money (or paper), but we are not going to pay
you anyway.” This really upset many people and made them lose support for their monarch.
 The South Sea Company was created in Britain along the same principles as the Mississippi Company was in France. It
too failed, but the British government handled the matter differently. Whereas the French simply told their citizens that
they would not pay them, the British, under Prime Minister Robert Walpole, promised to pay back all of the British
citizens who held the paper money. This hurt the treasury at first, but it created great trust in the British government and
stimulated future economic decisions in the nation.
 Rise of House of Hanover: Shortly after the Glorious Revolution put William and Mary on the throne in Britain,
Parliament saw the need to make sure that the line of succession would guarantee that no Catholic could claim to be king
of England (remember, James II’s son, James Stuart, was living in France and desperately hoping to come back and set up
his rule in England). Queen Anne, daughter of William and Mary, ruled the country until 1714. She outlived all of her
own children, which meant that that Stuart line of kings/queens had died off. However, in a remarkably well-thought
decision, Parliament had set up precautions in case this very thing happpened. Parliament had passed the Act of
Settlement (1701), which stated that should Anne outlive all of her children, the crown would pass to the German House
of Hanover (a Protestant family in the Holy Roman Empire). Thus, when Anne died in 1714, George I (Hanover) became
king. Despite a pitiful attempt by James Stuart (the Stuart “Pretender”, as in “pretending to be the real king’), the
Hanovers would rule England throughout the 18th century.
Key Questions: Central and Eastern Europe
3. According to the text, how was warfare different between nations in western Europe than it was west of the Elbe-Trieste
line (see “helpful hints’, below)? How did this difference affect politics in the region?
4. Explain the ways in which the Great Northern War impacted the nation of Sweden.
5. Explain how the Ottoman’s role as the “sick man of Europe” (see “helpful hints’ below) affected European politics
among nations in central/eastern Europe.\
6. For what reason was Poland fully unable to defend itself? What did this eventually do the nation of Poland?
7. What effects did the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) have on Austrian Hapsburg power?
NOTE: Notice that, after the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), the Austrian Hapsburgs were given control of the (formerly) Spanish
Netherlands, making them the Austrian Netherlands. They remained this way until Belgium got its independence in 1830.
8.
One of the key themes that will emerge in European history will be the problem of nationalism. This can take 1 of 2
forms; either a small group within a large area wanting local rule, or a number of states wishing to join up to form a single
KAGAN Study Guide Chapter 13
2
9.
state. The latter will be what happens to Germany in 1871 when it becomes a nation. What role \ did nationalism play for
the Austrians? Which area and ethnic group provided the Austrians with the most problems?
Describe the situation surrounding the Pragmatic Sanction. What people were involved, and what was the purpose of the
Sanction? Did it work?
Helpful Hints:
Europe is usually divided along a North-South axis known as the Elbe-Trieste line (goes from the Elbe River in the North,
running through the East of modern Germany, down to the city of Trieste in what is today the northeastern corner of Italy).
This line divides Europe into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Throughout history, this line has also shown the split
between an industrialized and wealthy side of the continent (West) and a largely agrarian (farm-based) and more impoverished
side (East).
The Ottoman Empire struck fear into the hearts of Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the late 17 th century.
Shortly thereafter though, it began a rapid decline, earning the nickname “the sick man of Europe”(though it continued to
exist until after WWI-1919- the empire was so weak that it could not effectively defend itself against pushes from the other
nations of central and eastern Europe. Thus, like a “sick man,’ it just sort of limped along and continued living in a
dramatically debilitated state).
Rise of Brandenburg-Prussia
10. With what should the term “Prussian” be synonymous?
11. Describe the challenges that geography and local traditions played in creating a centralized Prussian government. In what
ways did Frederick William, the Great Elector overcome these challenges?
12. Frederick William (can also be written as Friedrich Wilhelm), the Great Elector sought to create an absolutist reign
13. much like that of Louis XIV. Compare and contrast the policies of these two leaders regarding both the nobility and the
military.
14. Why was King Frederick I the “least Prussian” of all the Prussian leaders?
15. King Frederick William I (r. 1713-1740) was likely the most “absolutist’ of the Prussian rulers to date. How did each of
the following increase his stature as an absolutist king:
 Finances of the kingdom
 View/treatment of the nobility
 Organization/discipline of the military
16. In truth, King Frederick William I hated his son (to become Frederick II). Frederick was focused upon poetry and
philosophy rather than a strict life of military discipline, leading Frederick William to think his son was an utter “sissy.”
Why would Frederick II’s (Frederick the Great’s) actions as king have made his father smile while lying in his casket?
Helpful Hints:
It can be difficult to keep all of the “Fredericks” straight when studying the rise of Prussia. To break it down, there are several
trends that make it a little easier. Among the first four Prussian leaders we’ll discuss, a Frederick William was always
followed by a Frederick. Typically, the Frederick Williams were known for building up the military strength and prestige of
the military, and focusing on little but developing the sheer power of the state. The Frederick Williams though rarely put their
powerful militaries to use in foreign engagements. Both of the Fredericks, however, were very willing to use the strong
militaries that they inherited in foreign ventures. Each of the Fredericks also displayed a more cultural focus as well,
developing the intellectual nature of their realms on top of the sheer military power.
Although the Holy Roman Emperor held only limited power in the Holy Roman Empire after the Treaty of Westphalia (1648),
the Hapsburgs did maintain the traditional right to award official titles to the various princes of the realm. Thus, the first
Frederick William mentioned in the text, the Great Elector, was not allowed to call himself king of Prussia (shown by the
fact that there is no Roman Numeral after his name). King Frederick I gained that opportunity by giving his Prussian
troops to HRE Leopold I during the War of Spanish Succession (remember, Leopold’s grandson had a legal claim to the
throne of Spain, just as did Philip of Anjou, the grandson of Louis XIV). By allowing his troops to serve under the HRE,
Leopold gave Frederick the right to be King Frederick. The next king, Frederick William I, was the FIRST KING of
Prussia named FREDERICK WILLIAM. Thus, he became Frederick William I (though he was not the first leader of
Prussia named Frederick William).
Be sure that you maintain a good grasp on Prussian history. Prussia will eventually form the backbone of a unified nation of
Germany, which will officially be created under Prussian leadership in 1871. The rise of Prussian power and Germany, along
with the development of democracy in Britain, is a frequent essay question on AP European History exams.
The Rise of Russia Under the Romanovs
17. Who were the boyars and the streltsy, and how did they prevent centralized power and progress in early 17th century
Russia?
KAGAN Study Guide Chapter 13
3
18. Like Louis XIV, Peter I (Peter the Great) learned a great deal about his political philosophy from his childhood
experiences.
 Describe the lessons Peter learned.
19. Peter the Great’s primary goal was to develop absolutist rule along the lines of Western Europe, while “Westernizing” (or
“modernizing’) Russia at the same time. Explain the role that each played in his decision:
 His “Grand Embassy” (his trip abroad to Western Europe)
 Reforming the dress/style of the boyars
 Creation of the Table of Ranks
 Refusal to name new Patriarch *(see helpful hints below) and the creation of the Holy Synod
 Creation of “colleges” (think intendants)
20. Peter the Great was truly fascinated with all things militaristic and war itself. Like Louis XIV, he was at war for the vast
majority of his reign. What major advantage did Peter seek to get by conquering Azov from the Ottomans in 1696? Why
was his victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War so important?
NOTE: The building of St. Petersburg was termed Peter’s “Window on the West,” partially because it was at about the point in
Russia closest to Western Europe. In addition, Peter sought to make the city look and feel like the great cities of Western
Europe. He converted the dirty swamp lands of the Gulf of Finland into a beautiful capital, complete with grand palaces. He
mandated that all boyars move to the new city, so he could closely watch their activities and lead them into debt, modeling his
behavior after Louis XIV’s Versailles (which Peter visited on his “Grand Embassy”). The city contained wide boulevards and
many canals, making it the opposite of the densely congested old capital of Moscow, which Peter so loathed. The cost of
building this capital was very high, especially in regard to the number of lives lost in its completion (thousands of serfs died as
a result of filthy drinking water and disease, on top of the exhausting labor). Nonetheless, it proved to be the pride of Peter and
was a strong step in his westernization/modernization efforts.
Helpful Hints:
 Russian history is fascinating, as it is so ripe with gory stories of harsh punishments and political treachery. The story of
Peter the Great is no different. He was the second son of Theodore III (also seen as Fodor III in traditional Russian
spelling), and he was born to Theodore’s second wife. This meant that his older brother, Ivan, had a more direct claim to
the throne than Peter. However, Ivan was afflicted with some sort of mental illness, and was never really seen as fit for
ruling. Thus, the two were named co-Tsars (Tsar is Russian for “Caesar,” a term first used by Ivan IV- Ivan the Terribleto show his desire to make Russia the successor to the Roman Empire). Before either could officially take control, Peter’s
half-sister (Ivan’s sister) Sophia ruled as regent. Her power lay in the fact that her lover was the chief guard of the
streltsy, allowing her much control over the government in the capital. Sophia never liked Peter and never involved him
in government decisions (for his part, he hated her with a passion). Thus, Peter spent his childhood “playing.” He was a
really interesting child, fascinated with the military and with the idea of sailing. In military games, Peter had his own
group of “toy soldiers,” whom he would drill and train constantly and would even stage mock sieges/battles, actually
using live weaponry (on one occasion, a number died as a result of the musket fire and cannons). I told you Russian
history was cool! The sailing fascination was rather odd for a Russian; having no warm-water port, the nation had
developed as a largely land-locked state. Even in his youth though, the people would remark at the oddity of seeing the
half-tsar sailing down the Moscow River in a home-made sailboat. Though it was a childhood of playing, Peter hated
Moscow, as it stood for all that was so “old and backward” about Russia. To combat this, he hung out in the bars of the
German district in town, where foreigners and travelers would delight his ears with tales of the great things held in
Western Europe. All of these things would serve to formulate a fascination with the West for Peter, and an incredibly
strong desire to “modernize’ his nation and make it look like the nations the travelers told him of, with large and powerful
armies and strong navies.
 As a youth, Peter was never too much enthused with religion. Russia was primarily part of the Eastern Orthodox Church,
which was Catholic but did not have the pope as its leader (the Catholic Church split in the middle of the 11th century,
creating the Roman Catholic Church, centered in Rome with the Pope as its leader, and the Eastern Orthodox Church,
centered in Constantinople with a Patriarch as its leader). Typically, the Russian tsar had the power to name the Patriarch.
In 1721, the Patriarch at the time passed away, and it was expected that Peter the Great would simply name a new
replacement. However, Peter felt that the Church held too much power over the people in his nation, and he feared it
could challenge his power as leader. So, instead of naming a new Patriarch, Peter simply abolished the position. In its
place he created the “Holy Synod,” a council of religious leaders (led by the Procurator General) whose job it was to
make sure that Church mandates coincided with the political laws of Peter.
Key Questions for Chapter/Unit:
1. Absolutism requires strong control over a nation’s social groups (especially the nobility), a large and efficient military
machine, and a source of funding that was not dependent upon “permission’ from any other sectors of society. Some used
the theory of Divine Right, while others simply made the position of king (or tsar) stand for full political unity. Create a
chart that shows how France, Prussia and Russia all achieved absolutism, noting their actions in each of the following:
a. Control of nobility
KAGAN Study Guide Chapter 13
4
b.
c.
d.
2.
Military matters
Sources of income
Source of legitimacy
The theme of the chapter states that a nation needed a strong form of centralized government in able to effectively defend
itself and modernize. Without a strong king, how were the British able to survive and prosper as they did in the 18 th
century? What kept Poland and the Ottoman Empire from maintaining their former power?
KAGAN Study Guide Chapter 13
5