AGE OF ABSOLUTISM
What is the Age of Absolutism??
A time when:
-Kings in Europe maintained strong monarchies, built large militaries, and taxed the people
-During the 1500s-1800s
What is an ABSOLUTE MONARCH?
Absolute monarchy-a king who has all the power in their government
Why did this happen?
Remember Feudalism during the Middle Ages? That wasn’t working anymore
Power was based on LAND
Why did this happen?
1. Decline of Feudalism-king had to deal with religious and territorial conflicts, so he needed money $$$$
Middle Class were getting richer due to more trading->gave $$ to kings
Power based on MONEY, not land (Feudalism no more)
Why did this happen?
2. Divine Right-king’s believed that they had the authority to rule from God
3. Centralized Government-everything was now being controlled by the government, not locally
Philip II
-Czar Ivan IV
-Czar Peter the Great
Frederick II (the Great)
King Louis XIV
King:
-Charles I
-Charles II
-James II
-William and Mary
King Louis XIV of France
-Took throne at age 4
-The “Sun King”
-->Claimed Divine Right
-->Believed he was the State
(L’état, c’est moi-“I am the State” ...everything revolved around him in France, just like the planets revolve around the sun)
-Had nobles live in the Palace of Versailles with him so he can monitor them and their actions
King Louis XIV of France
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
King Philip II of Spain
-Controlled all aspects of government
-Ruled by Divine Right
-High cost of wars
-Levied (put on) heavy taxes
Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia
Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia
-Great military strategist, father of Prussian militarism
-Gained land for Prussia against Austria in the Austrian War of Succession
-Reforms:
banned torture, freedom of press, religious freedom
-introduced turnip and potato crop
Czar Ivan IV (the Terrible)
Czar Ivan IV (the Terrible)
Pros:
-Modernized Russia
-Reformed the legal code
-created an assembly of the three estates (council of nobles)
-Established a standing army
-Opened new trade routes
-Ordered the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral to commemorate his conquest of the Kazan
Cons:
-Extremist, harsh ruling style
-Secret police (Oprichniki) killed anyone thought to be disloyal
-killed own son
Czar Peter the Great
Cutting off boyar’s (noble) beard to look more Western
Czar Peter the Great
Pros:
-Simplified Russian alphabet
-Developed mining and textiles
-Westernized Russia
-Created organized, single military, navy
-Wanted warm water port in order to trade more
Cons:
-Didn’t create big middle class
-Sometimes used force and terror to achieve goals
Why did absolutism NOT work in England?
-had tradition of limiting the monarchy
(Magna Carta-1215)
-Parliament (body of gov’t that makes laws) was tired of getting dissolved when King didn’t get his way
-King Charles I triggered Civil War where he was captured and beheaded by Parliament
-Oliver Cromwell took control and ruled England under heavy Puritan beliefs
(England has no king for 10 years)
King Charles I, you cannot just dissolve us, Parliament, whenever you feel like it!
Why did absolutism NOT work in England?
Restoration-England gets their king back, but King Charles II still believed in absolute control (but knew not to mess with Parliament!!)
-King James II ruled harshly on Protestants (which most in Parliament were)
-Parliament invite William and Mary to take throne = GLORIOUS REVOLUTION (becoming king and queen without bloodshed)
Why did absolutism NOT work in England?
In order to rule, Parliament makes William and Mary sign the English Bill of Rights:
***Limited Monarchy-constitution limits king’s power
-Makes Parliament have power over monarchy
-Habeas Corpus (no person in prison without getting charged for a crime)
Toleration Acts-religious freedom
What does this all mean?
During the 1500s-1800s, the monarchs of Europe ruled with complete power
Successfully gained wealth and power of state for themselves
Used power to make country stronger, modernized, increasing trade, and tried to improve social conditions