Absolute Monarchs

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Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 15001800
Chapter Overview
Time Line
Spains Empire and European Absolutism
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SECTION
MAP
Frances Ultimate Monarch
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SECTION
Central European Monarchs Clash
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SECTION
Russian Czars Increase Power
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SECTION
GRAPH
Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
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SECTION
Visual Summary
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Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 15001800
From 1500 to 1800, absolute monarchs rule in
Europe. In countries such as Spain and France,
rulers wield great power and build major
monuments to their rule. In countries such as
England and the Netherlands, constitutional law
limits royal power.
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Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 15001800
Time Line
1533 Ivan the Terrible begins to rule Russia.
1643 Louis XIV begins to rule France.
1697 Peter the Great begins European tour. He
later built St. Petersburg to rival European
capitals.
1579 Netherlands declares independence from Spain.
1649 Puritans under Oliver Cromwell execute
English King.
1756 Frederick the Great begins Seven Years War.
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Spains Empire and European Absolutism
MAP
Key Idea
In the 1500s, Philip II of Spain becomes the
strongest ruler in Europe, helping establish
absolute monarchy. But in time Spain weakens, and
the Netherlands breaks away from Spanish rule.
Overview
Assessment
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Spains Empire and European Absolutism
MAP
Overview
Philip II absolute monarch divine right
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
During a time of religious and economic
instability, Philip II ruled Spain with a strong
hand.
When faced with crises, many heads of government
take on additional economic or political powers.
Assessment
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Spains Empire and European Absolutism
MAP
1. List the conditions that allowed European
monarchs to gain power. Then list the ways they
exercised their increased power.
Rise of cities
Wealth of colonies
Growth of national kingdoms
Breakdown of Church authority
Decline of feudalism
Growth of middle class
Economic and religious crises
Revolts
Created new government bureaucracies
Reduced power of nobles and representative bodies
Regulated worship, social gatherings, and economy
Increased size of court
continued . . .
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Spains Empire and European Absolutism
MAP
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Section
Assessment
2. What does the art described in this section
reveal about the cultures of Spain and the
Netherlands? THINK ABOUT
what the art of Velázquez and El Greco
revealsabout Spain
what the art of Rembrandt and Vermeer
revealsabout the Netherlands
ANSWER
Velázquez showed pride of Spanish monarchs.
El Greco showed Catholic faith in Spain.
Rembrandt and Vermeer showed the importance of
merchants, civic leaders, and the middle class in
the Netherlands.
Possible Responses
End of Section 1
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Frances Ultimate Monarch
Key Idea
Religious wars plague France in the 1500s. With
the rise of Louis XIV, France becomes Europes
most powerful nation. Louiss rule extends French
power and prestige, but he leads the country into
crippling wars.
Overview
Assessment
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Frances Ultimate Monarch
Overview
Edict of Nantes Cardinal Richelieu
skepticism Louis XIV intendant Jean
Baptiste Colbert War of the Spanish Succession
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
After a century of war and riots, France was
ruled by Louis XIV, the most powerful monarch of
his time.
Louis used his power to build a great palace and
sponsor art that is part of Frances cultural
legacy.
Assessment
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Frances Ultimate Monarch
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List the major events of Louis XIVs
reign.
1648-1653
1661
1667
1672
1685
1701-1713
Louis becomes king.
Riots disrupt France.
Louis starts rule.
Louis invades the Spanish Netherlands.
Louis invades the Dutch Netherlands.
Louis voids Edict of Nantes.
Louis fights War of Spanish Succession.
Louis dies.
continued . . .
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Frances Ultimate Monarch
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Section
Assessment
2. Many historians think of Louis XIV as the
perfect example of an absolute monarch. Do you
agree? Explain why or why not. THINK ABOUT
the description of an absolute monarch at the
end of Section 1
the ways in which Louis XIV fits that
description
any ways in which Louis XIV does not fit the
description
ANSWER
Yesregulated worship by voiding Edict of Nantes,
weakened nobility by using intendants and making
nobles live at court, built palace to show power,
used mercantilist policies to control economy
Possible Response
continued . . .
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Frances Ultimate Monarch
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Section
Assessment
3. How did the policies of Colbert and Louis XIV
affect the French economy? Explain both positive
and negative effects. THINK ABOUT
Colberts attempts to make France
self-sufficient
what happened when Louis cancelled the Edict
of Nantes
the cost of Versailles and wars
ANSWER
Colberts mercantilism helped economy by building
up and protecting French industries. Louis XIV
helped economy by using Colberts policies but
hurt it by voiding Edict of Nantes, which drove
out Huguenots, and by taxing and spending to fund
building and wars.
Possible Responses
End of Section 2
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Central European Monarchs Clash
Key Idea
Central Europe also becomes the scene of
devastating wars. The most destructive conflict,
the Thirty Years War, severely weakens the Holy
Roman Empire. Afterward, Austria and Prussia
struggle for power.
Overview
Assessment
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Central European Monarchs Clash
Overview
Thirty Years War Maria Theresa Frederick
the Great Seven Years War
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
After a period of turmoil, absolute monarchs
ruled Austria and the Germanic state of Prussia.
Prussia built a strong military tradition in
Germany that contributed in part to world wars in
the 20th century.
Assessment
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Central European Monarchs Clash
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Compare Maria Theresa and Frederick the
Great.
1740-1780
1740-1786
Allied with former enemy France
Allied with Austrias former ally Britain
Lost Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and
did not regain it in Seven Years War
Gained Silesia in War of Austrian Succession and
neither gained nor lost in Seven Years War
Followed his fathers military policies
Imposed limits on nobility
continued . . .
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Central European Monarchs Clash
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Section
Assessment
2. Name several ways that the Peace of Westphalia
laid the foundations of modern Europe. THINK
ABOUT
religious effects
diplomatic effects
political effects
ANSWER
ended religious wars, allowing Europe to split
into Catholic and Protestant areas weakened
Holy Roman Empire recognized Europe as
collection of independent states began modern
way of negotiating
Possible Responses
End of Section 3
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Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
Key Idea
Russian rulers begin to dominate the nobility in
the 16th and 17th centuries. Under Peter the
Great, Russia opens up to the West and becomes a
key European power.
Overview
Assessment
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Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
Overview
Ivan the Terrible boyars Peter the Great
westernization
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to
try to make it more like western Europe.
Many Russians today debate whether to model
themselves on the West or to focus on traditional
Russian culture.
Assessment
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Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List the important events of Peter the
Greats reign.
Had St. Petersburg built
Visited western Europe
Fought Sweden for Baltic land
Took control of church
Reduced power of landowners
Modernized army
Tried to westernize Russia
continued . . .
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Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
2. Do you think Ivan the Terrible or Peter the
Great was more of an absolute monarch? Explain
the standards by which you made your decision.
THINK ABOUT
ways that each increased the power of the
Russian czar
long term effects of each ones rule
ANSWER
IvanTook title czar, which means caesar
expanded Russia gave law code organized his own
police force persecuted boyars created new
class of nobles. Aimed to increase and protect
his own power more than to improve Russia.
PeterTook control of church reduced power of
landowners strengthened army imposed heavy
taxes forced nobles to move to St. Petersburg.
Made reforms whether people wanted them or not.
Possible Responses
continued . . .
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Russian Czars Increase Power
GRAPH
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Section
Assessment
3. Which of Peter the Greats actions reveal that
he saw himself as the highest authority in
Russia? Explain. THINK ABOUT
steps he took to reduce the authority of
others
actions that overturned traditional sources of
authority in Russia
ANSWER
showed he saw himself above church by taking
control of it showed he saw himself above
nobility by weakening it and forcing it to
westernize showed he saw himself above
tradition by forcing Western customs on Russia
Possible Responses
End of Section 4
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Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
Key Idea
English kings battle Parliament for power in the
1600s, leading to civil war. Parliament wins, and
a Puritan government is formed. The monarchy is
later restored, but its power is limited by law.
Overview
Assessment
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Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
Overview
Charles I English Civil War Oliver
Cromwell Restoration habeas corpus
Glorious Revolution constitutional monarchy
cabinet
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Absolute rulers in England were overthrown, and
Parliament gained power.
Many of the government reforms of this period
contributed to the democratic tradition of the
United States.
Assessment
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Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
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Section
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List the causes of each monarchs
conflict with Parliament.

• Believed in divine right to rule

• Wanted large funds to pay for court and wars

• Did not make Puritan reforms

• Wanted funds to finance wars

• Tried to force all subjects to be Anglican

• Resisted Parliaments attempts to restrict his
  power

• Flaunted his faith

• Named Catholics to high office

continued . . .
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Parliament Limits the English Monarchy
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Section
Assessment
2. In your opinion, which decisions of Charles I
made his conflict with Parliament worse? Explain.
THINK ABOUT
decisions that lost him the support of
Parliament
decisions that lost him the support of his
people
ANSWER
He alienated Parliament by dissolving it,
ignoring Petition of Right, and trying to arrest
Parliamentary leaders. He alienated his
subjects by imposing fines and fees on them and
trying to force them all to be Anglican.
Possible Responses
End of Section 5