2. What effect did the absolute monarchs have on their countries?

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1 Objective The student will demonstrate knowledge of scientific, political, economic, and religious changes during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries by b) describing the Age of Absolutism, including the monarchies of Louis XIV and Peter the Great. Essential Understandings The Age of Absolutism takes its name from a series of European monarchs who increased the power of their central governments. Essential Questions 1. Who were the absolute monarchs? 2. What effect did the absolute monarchs have on their countries? Essential Knowledge Characteristics of absolute monarchies Centralization of power Concept of rule by divine right Absolute monarchs Louis XIV France, Palace of Versailles as a symbol of royal power Peter the Great Russia, westernization of Russia 1

2 Absolutism The European Model Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, absolutism, when kings or queens have complete control over government and the lives of their subjects, was the most widespread political system in use in Europe and parts of Asia. In the 1500s, Spain emerged as the first modern European power. Spain's king, Charles V, was involved in almost constant warfare. His son, Philip II, expanded Spanish influence, strengthened the Catholic Church, and, believing he ruled by divine right, made his own power absolute. Under him, Spain became the most powerful state in Europe. Religious wars between Catholics and Protestants tore France apart in the late 1500s. In the 1640s, under Louis XIV, who assumed absolute power with the help of Cardinal Richelieu, France became the most powerful state in Europe. Louis, known as "The Sun King," ruled for 72 years. His claim to power was furthered by Jacques Bousset, who argued that Louis was god's representative here on earth. In Russia, Peter the Great used autocratic methods to modernize Russia, pushing through social and economic reforms and importing western technology. Later, Catherine the Great achieved the Russian dream of a warm-water port on the Black Sea by waging war against the Ottoman Empire. The Response to Absolutism in England Beginning in 1603 in England, the Stuart kings James I and Charles I, clashed with Parliament over royal authority, money, foreign policy, and religion. The English Civil war broke out in 1642 when Charles I tried to arrest the radical leaders of the House of Commons. In the end, a victorious Parliament executed Charles, abolished the monarchy, and created a republic headed by Oliver Cromwell. The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which established the English Bill of Rights, ensured the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. Under the Bill of Rights, England became a constitutional monarchy. The king or queen would now be only a symbol for the country. The Islamic World There are also several examples of absolute monarchy in the Muslim world. In Islamic history, the Ottoman sultan Suleiman is considered to be the perfect ruler. He is said to have had all of the most important qualities of an Islamic ruler, especially knowledge of justice. In addition, he is viewed by many as a law giver, a great soldier, and a magnificent poet. A contemporary of Suleiman, Akbar the Great, ascended the throne in 1556, at the age of thirteen. The third Mughal emperor of India, Akbar won the support of Hindus and Muslims. His greatest accomplishment was the institution of an efficient bureaucracy that helped to run the empire. 2

3 Louis XIV of France (ruled from ) Louis XIV Rules Absolutely Dynasty ( ; ) IV and Cardinal establish absolute rule in France Henry IV establishes the of (protecting the Huguenots from persecution) Louis most dominant ruler of France Louis said, I am the State. ; known as the Louis, the Boy King Louis became king at age 5; ruled for him until age 23 Cardinal Mazarin o Took over France at end of o Peace treaty made France the most powerful country in o Nobles upset with high and strong government Louis Takes Control Weakened the power of the nobles by excluding them from his uses (government officials from middle class) to collect taxes and administer justice In constant with intendants Economic Growth Installed Jean Baptiste Colbert as minister of finance o Believed in ; self sufficient France o all of France s goods o Gave government funds and tax benefits to French o Put high on foreign imports o Encouraged migration to colonies After Colbert s death, Louis slows economy o Cancel Edict of Nantes causing the lost of Protestant and people fleeing the country o loss of many workers Louis s Grand Style Surrounded himself with luxury items Built Palace of 11 miles outside of Patron of arts; purpose was to glorify the king 3

4 Louis Controls the Nobility Had nobles live at majority of time o Made nobles totally on Louis o Took them from their homes, giving all power to the intendants The Splendor of Versailles Versailles was like a small royal city Aroused the envy of all European monarchs Louis Fights Disastrous Wars In 1660, France had a population of million 4 times more than ; 10 times more than Republic peacetime troops; wartime troops in size, training and weaponry Attempts to Expand France s Boundaries Pushed conquests against Spanish and Dutch ; ultimately unsuccessful European countries set up an to match France militarily led by England French people suffered due to constant war, high taxes and poor harvests War of the Spanish Succession ( ) Louis makes deal with childless Spanish king,, to allow a Bourbon (French) to become king of Spain Other European countries felt Louis would become more powerful by uniting the thrones of and. Treaty of kept both kingdoms separated Louis s Death and Legacy France was left a European Riddled with war Resentment from people due to royal abuse; will eventually lead to a bloody 4

5 Peter the Great of Russia (ruled from ) Peter the Great Takes the Throne Dynasty ( ) restore order to Russia after the Mongols Romanovs paved the way for absolute rule in Peter I became (Caesar) increased power of czar; absolutism Russia s Differences from Western Europe Russia still had (land owners) and serfs; o serfs belonged to land o serfdom lasted into1800s Russia looked to for leadership, not Rome rule (1200s 1400s) cut Russia off from Renaissance and Age of Exploration Limited contact with Europeans and only frozen most of the year Practiced ; Protestants and Catholics considered heretics Peter Visits the West Before visit o Was fascinated in the modern technology and machinery of the in o Passion for ships and the sea o Saw need for seaport o Goal was to learn about European and techniques During Visit o 1697, embarked on the, a long visit to western Europe o Traveled as a ship s carpenter; 6-6 height gave identity away o Visited the,, and Peter Rules Absolutely Upon return, Peter insisted on Russia competing with Goal of ; using Europe as a model for change Peter s Reforms Increased his power to change among his people Brought Orthodox Church under control 5

6 Took power away from Recruited - families and put in positions of power; were very loyal Used officers and technology to modernize military heavily to pay for military Westernizing Russia introduced, which became a staple of the Russian diet started Russia s first and edited its first issue himself raised status by having them attend social gatherings ordered the nobles to give up their traditional for Western fashions A New Capital fought against for land Built along the coast of the Baltic Sea; became a warm water seaport for Russia

I N V E S T I C E D O R O Z V O J E V Z D Ě L Á V Á N Í ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES

I N V E S T I C E D O R O Z V O J E V Z D Ě L Á V Á N Í ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES ABSOLUTE MONARCHIES Absolutism: Louis XIV of France born in 1638, ruled 1643-1715 as a child, he had to face the Frondes Revolt when the French high nobles rebelled against him he managed to take control