Absolutism Chapter 21: Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Why AbsolutismEurope was experiencing a period of CRISIS

Religious Crisis

France: Wars of religion

Edict of Nantes: Catholicism is OFFICIAL religion of France, but Huguenots (Protestant) were allowed

Economic & Social Crisis:

Inflation

Witchcraft

30 Years War (1618-1648)

Disputes all over Germany over Peace of Augsburg

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

German States could determine their own religion

SOLUTION TO CRISES!!!

ABSOLUTISM:

Total Power

Divine right of kings

Centralization

SPAIN

King Philip II

1556-1598 (42 years)

King Philip II of Spain

Nickname: Most Catholic King

Religious Policy: Consolidated his lands through his religion

Effects of Rule:

Most populated empire

Most bankrupt empire due to continual war

Madrid, Spain: El Escorial

Built by Philip II in reaction to the Protestant Reformation

EL ESCORIAL

Spanish Empire

Spanish Armada vs. England

ENGLAND

Queen Elizabeth I1558-1603 (45 years)

QUEEN ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND

Nickname: The Virgin Queen

Religious Policy: New Act of

Supremacy Protestantism, but

“don’t ask don’t tell”

Killed Mary Queen of Scots as result

Effects of Rule:

Established land in the U.S.-

Virginia

Used her “marriage situation” as

a ploy with Parliament

Golden Age-William

Shakespeare

FRANCE

King Louis XIV

1644-1715 (71 years)

Longest reign of any

European monarch

King Louis XIV of France

Nickname: Sun King

Religious Policy: Tolerant

[Catholic Nation], Limited Papal

Power

Impact on Culture: Set the stage

for ALL of Europe

Effects of Rule:

Began ruling at age 5- “Kingmaker”=Mazarin

Centralized State-ruled totally by himself

Everyone wanted to get as close as they could

L ‘etat c’est moi! (I am the State)

Moves capital from Paris to Versailles

New World- Louisiana

VERSAILLES Louis XIV’s Palace

2,000 acres of grounds

200,000 trees, 80 miles of rows of trees

210,000 flowers planted every year

12 miles of enclosing walls

50 fountains

700 rooms; 67 staircases

6,000 paintings; 2,100 sculptures

5,000 items of furniture and “art objects”

VERSAILLES

Text

pic of me at versailles

RUSSIA

King Peter I

1672-1725 (53 years)

Peter I of Russia

Nickname: Peter the Great

Impacts on Culture: Spreads European Culture

WESTERNIZATION

Shave beards, wear modern clothing

Peter I of Russia

Moves capital to St. Petersburg: “Window on the West”

PRUSSIA

King Frederick II

1740-1786 (46 years)

Frederick II of Prussia

Nicknames: Royal Drill Sergeant or

Frederick the Great

Effects of Rule:

Created the 4th largest army in

all of Europe