Centralization of Power Centralization of Power and the New Monarchsand the New Monarchs

European Politics in the 15European Politics in the 15thth and 16and 16thth Centuries Centuries

Growth of Central GovernmentsGrowth of Central Governments

Rise of “New Monarchs in France, Rise of “New Monarchs in France, Spain and England leads to Spain and England leads to centralization of political power.centralization of political power.

Economic and Social changes reflected Economic and Social changes reflected in the growing power of governments.in the growing power of governments.

Rulers encouraged trade, overseas Rulers encouraged trade, overseas expansion, to obtain taxes and expansion, to obtain taxes and revenues to further increase their revenues to further increase their power.power.

Valois FranceValois France

France is devastated by the effects of France is devastated by the effects of the Hundred Years Warthe Hundred Years War

Louis XI (r. 1461-1483) consolidates Louis XI (r. 1461-1483) consolidates power.power. Makes war and kills the Duke of Burgundy, Makes war and kills the Duke of Burgundy,

making the province under French controlmaking the province under French control Used diplomacy to gain further lands Used diplomacy to gain further lands

(earns him the nickname “the Spider”)(earns him the nickname “the Spider”) Charles VIII becomes involved the Italian Charles VIII becomes involved the Italian

Wars.Wars.

Valois France – Gov’t PowerValois France – Gov’t Power

System of Taxation put into placeSystem of Taxation put into place Francis I gains control over the Francis I gains control over the

church; right to appoint bishops.church; right to appoint bishops. Legalization of the sale of offices Legalization of the sale of offices

(provided revenue)(provided revenue) Streamlined government procedures Streamlined government procedures

and efficiency.and efficiency.

United SpainUnited Spain

The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Sicily and Isabella of Castile and Sicily and Isabella of Castile united the Kingdom of Spain the united the Kingdom of Spain the 1479 after 10 years of civil war with 1479 after 10 years of civil war with nobles who opposed it.nobles who opposed it.

Worked to reduce the power of Worked to reduce the power of nobles in the court, favored the nobles in the court, favored the lesser nobility (hidalgo)lesser nobility (hidalgo)

Gained control over military ordersGained control over military orders

United SpainUnited Spain

Monarchy gained right to make Monarchy gained right to make appointments of bishops.appointments of bishops.

Direct supervision over the judicial Direct supervision over the judicial systemsystem

Direct collection of taxes and other Direct collection of taxes and other revenuesrevenues

Religious zeal and the desire to drive Religious zeal and the desire to drive the remaining Muslims from Spain.the remaining Muslims from Spain.

Establishment and control of the Establishment and control of the Inquisition.Inquisition.

United Spain – Charles VUnited Spain – Charles V Charles V (grandson of F & I) held the throne Charles V (grandson of F & I) held the throne

of Spain (and he overseas territories) and the of Spain (and he overseas territories) and the throne of the HRE.throne of the HRE.

Reoccurring crises kept Charles involved in Reoccurring crises kept Charles involved in the politics of the HRE and away from Spain.the politics of the HRE and away from Spain.

He faced financial difficulties – only saved by He faced financial difficulties – only saved by New World treasure.New World treasure.

Little changed in Spanish administration, but Little changed in Spanish administration, but the New World empire continued to expand.the New World empire continued to expand.

Tudor EnglandTudor England Monarch’s power was balanced by Monarch’s power was balanced by

Parliament and Common Law; allowed Parliament and Common Law; allowed for uniformity across the landfor uniformity across the land

Henry VII (1485-1509) reestablishes Henry VII (1485-1509) reestablishes royal control after the Wars of the Rosesroyal control after the Wars of the Roses Financial independence for the monarchyFinancial independence for the monarchy Increase the power of Justices of the Peace.Increase the power of Justices of the Peace. Increase power and influence of royal Increase power and influence of royal

council (the Star Chamber).council (the Star Chamber).

Tudor EnglandTudor England Henry VIIIHenry VIII

Used Reformation Parliament to increase Used Reformation Parliament to increase power of the king (while Parliament’s power of the king (while Parliament’s prestige increased as well.)prestige increased as well.)

Royal power increased through the Royal power increased through the leadership of Thomas Cromwell and the leadership of Thomas Cromwell and the Privy CouncilPrivy Council

Royal income rose with the appropriation Royal income rose with the appropriation of church fees and possession; selling of of church fees and possession; selling of church lands to new landowners.church lands to new landowners.

Tudor EnglandTudor England Edward VIEdward VI

Being a minor, the nobility attempted to Being a minor, the nobility attempted to take back more power.take back more power.

Mary IMary I In attempt to reestablish Catholicism, In attempt to reestablish Catholicism,

provoked revolts.provoked revolts. Elizabeth IElizabeth I

Despite the political mistakes of her Despite the political mistakes of her predecessors, Elizabeth made use of predecessors, Elizabeth made use of royal power established by her father royal power established by her father and grandfatherand grandfather

Fragmented StatesFragmented States

Holy Roman EmpireHoly Roman Empire – elected nature – elected nature of emperor, strong princes, multi-of emperor, strong princes, multi-ethnic. ethnic.

ItalyItaly – political fragmentation; papacy – political fragmentation; papacy HungaryHungary – nobles reassert control; – nobles reassert control;

multiethnic empire.multiethnic empire. PolandPoland – elected and weak king, – elected and weak king,

strong Diet dominated by nobles.strong Diet dominated by nobles. Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire – multiethnic and – multiethnic and

multi-religious empire.multi-religious empire.