Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

Powerful Spanish Empire• Following Charles V’s death, he leaves Holy Roman Empire

and Austria to his brother Ferdinand and leaves Netherlands, Spain, and American colonies to his son Philip II

Philip II’s Empire• When the king of Portugal died in 1580, Philip assumed his

territories(his nephew)land in Africa, India, and E. Indies• Spain found much wealth in precious metals, and the king

(Philip) got a percentage of the profit. • This wealth allowed the Spanish to recruit an army of

around 50,000 soldiers

Defender of Catholicism• When Philip takes over the throne, there were religious

wars still rippling from the Reformation• Reconquista- campaign to drive Muslims out of Spain (64)• Philip thought it was his duty to protect Catholicism against

Protestants and Muslims• On the pope’s orders, Philip II sends more than 200 Spanish

Venetian ships to defeat the Ottoman Turks• In 1588, he sends a Spanish armada to England to punish

Elizabeth and her people for supporting Protestantism• Philip II was very religious, and strongly supports

Catholicism

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature• The wealth Spain had allowed more than just military

strength; monarchs and nobles were able to become patrons of the arts also

El Greco and Velazquez• El Greco (The Greek) was born in Crete, but grew up in

Spain• His art was unique clashing colors and distorted the

human body. He also painted religious (Catholic) figures• Diego Velazquez painted the pride of the Spanish monarchy

nearly 50 years after El Greco• Was the court painter of Philip IV• Also known for using brilliant colors

Don Quixote• Don Quixote de la Mancha was the first real European

novel• His book discusses a Spanish man who went crazy after

reading books about knighthood and chivalry

Spanish Empire Weakens• The gold coming from the America’s made Spain

temporarily wealthy, but led to long term problemsInflation and Taxes• caused by a growing population in Spain, and an increasing

amount of silver flooding the market• Spain lost many artisans and businessmen because they

were expelled (Muslims and Jews)• In addition, Spain’s nobles didn’t pay taxes causing the

lower classes to bear it led to no middle class because lower classes couldn’t start their own businesses

Making Spain’s Enemies Rich• Guilds still dominated business in Spain• These guilds kept Spanish goods expensive, so consumers

found a cheaper source• In addition, Spain had to buy most of what they needed

from England, France, and Netherlands Spain’s wealth was dumped right into their enemies pockets

• To finance wars, Spanish governments borrowed money from German and Italian bankers who were repaid in silver

The Dutch Revolt• Philip raised taxes on the middle class in the Netherlands• In response, Protestant (Calvanist) mobs swept through

Catholic churches• In 1568, Philip sent an army to crush the rebellion and in

one day killed 1,500 Protestant rebels• They fought for 11 more years, and in 1579 the Dutch

princes declared their independence from Spain

Independent Dutch Proper• Different than the rest of Europe in that they: were

religiously tolerant, were a republic rather than a kingdomDutch Art• Some of the best artists emerged in Europe emerged in the

1600’s, and many merchants sponsored these artists• Rembrandt van Rijn was the greatest of the period• He used contrasting light to draw attention to his focus• Painted the middle class (The Night Watch)• Jan Vermeer worked with contrast also• He painted women doing normal activities such as pouring

milk from a jug or reading a letter• these two artists symbolize how important merchants

and the middle class were in 17th century Netherlands

Dutch Trading Empire• The Dutch stored grain they bought from Poland, and in

times of famine in Europe they would sell this grain while prices were high

• Had the largest maritime fleet (4,800 ships in 1636)• They created the Dutch East India Company, which

benefitted from Asian spice trade, and Indian Ocean trade. • Dutch eventually replace Italians as the European bankers

Absoutism in Europe• While Philip lost his hold in the Netherlands, he was still a

strong leader who controlled every aspect of the empireThe Theory of Absolutism• An absolute monarch is a king or a queen who holds ALL of

the power within their territory• Absolute monarchs typically claim “divine right”Growing Power of Europe’s Monarchs• Decline of feudalism, growth of cities, and growth of

national kingdoms all helped centralize power• The growing middle classes began to support absolute

monarchs because these monarchs promise stability in business

Crises Leads to Abolutism• Religious and territorial conflict led continuously to warfare• Governments had to build larger armies, which had to be

funded by the lower class’s tax money• These economic pressures led to peasant unrest and revolt• To help contain the unrest, monarchs tried to expand their

already immense power by ruling over everything• Absolute monarchs created bureaucracies to control their

country’s economic life• Their goal was to free themselves from limitations that the

nobility brings as well as rep. bodies like Parliament

leads to absolute monarchs such as Louis XIV of France

Reign of Louis XIV• Henry II dies in 1559, leaving power to 3 of his 4 sons. They prove

incompetent, and his wife Catherine takes the throne. Under Catherine, France experiences religious wars between Huguenots and Catholics

Religious Wars and Struggles• 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in Paris– 6 weeks slaughter of

Huguenots at Catherine’s daughter’s weddingHenry of Navarre• Takes the throne in 1589 and is the first of the Bourbon family to rule the

throne• Catholics opposed Henry IV• Henry IV converts to Catholicism, but allows the Huguenots to set up

their own Protestant churches and live in peace Edict of Nantes• Aimed to rebuild France economically• While many loved Henry for his religious toleration and strong

leadership, one man stabbed Henry IV to death in 1610

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu • Louis XIII takes over after his father’s death (Henry IV)• Was a weak king, but appoints a strong minister to

compliment his own rule• Cardinal Richelieu tried to follow moral principles, but was

ambitious and loved having power of France• Took two steps to increase Bourbon power:1. Moved against the Huguenots (tear down walls)2. Weakened the power of the nobles (down with castle walls)

• Wanted to increase Bourbon power and decrease Hapsburg influence

Writers Turn to Skepticism• The ideas that nothing can ever be known for certain• Moved against the power of the ChurchMontaigne and Descartes• Michel de Montaigne develops the “essay” (after the death

of a friend) to express his thoughts and opinions• Argued that when a new belief arises, it replaces the old

idea humans will never know truth because current values will be replaced in the future

• Another French writer, Rene Descartes examines this question. Descartes created a philosophy that led to the scientific method, which would prove to be influential in the Enlightenment

Louis XIV Comes to Power• Took over the throne at 4 years old, and was the most

powerful ruler in French historyLouis, the Boy King• When Louis XIV takes over, Cardinal Richelieu’s successor

(Cardinal Mazarin) is the real ruler of France. He ended the Thirty Years War, but caused unrest among nobility by raising taxes. Louis was often threatened, and he never forgot it

• The nobles’ rebellion against Louis XIV and Mazarin failed because: its leaders didn’t trust each other, Louis XIV’s government used violent repression, and the peasant class grew weary of fighting

Louis Weakens the Nobles’ Authority• Cardinal Mazarin dies in 1661, and Louis XIV takes over at

22• Weakened the noble class, and increased the power of

intendants (gvmt officials who collect taxes)Economic Authority• Louis XIV and his Minister of Finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert,

sought to regain economic status in France• Colbert believed in mercantilism export more than you

import• Gave tax benefits to manufacturing companies, and placed

high tariff on imported goods• Also stressed the occupation of French Canadian colonies

for raw goods purposes (furs, spices, etc.)

• After his death, Louis canceled the Edict of Nantes and slowed economic progress in France

• In response, many Huguenots fled France which stripped France of skilled workers

Sun King’s Grand Style• Louis surrounded himself with luxury and exquisite feastsLouis Controls the Nobility• Nobles waited by Louis’ bed to greet him in the morning

and help him get dressed• This made the nobility dependent on Louis XIV, and also

forced them to live in Versailles at the palace. By moving away from home, the intendants gained power in the countryside

Patron of the Arts• Versailles was a center of the arts• Louis was even interested in the arts, and supported them

to the extend that Augustus did in Rome• The purpose was no longer to glorify God like in the Middle

Ages, or to glorify the human body like in the Renaissance, but to glorify the King

Louis Fights Disastrous Wars• In 1660 and under Louis XIV, France was the strongest

country in Europe with over 20 million people

Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries• In 1667 Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands, and gained 12

towns. Five years later he personally led French troops into the Dutch Netherlands. The Dutch ended the battles by flooding the countryside through opening the dikes. These battles ended with 1678 Treaty of Nijmegen

• By 1680’s weaker nations had banded together in alliances to stop France from dominating all of Europe

• France was weakened by poor harvests, taxes imposed by Louis XIV to finance the wars, and constant warfare

War of the Spanish Succession• In 1700 the Spanish king, Charles II, dies and gives the Spanish

throne to Louis XIV’s 16 year old grandson, Philip of Anjou• Europeans were worried that the Bourbon dynasty would become

too strong since they now ruled France and Spain• The long struggle by smaller European nations to keep France at

bay is known as the War of the Spanish Succession

• The war was dragged out until 1714, when the Treaty of Utrecht was signed which stated that Louis’ grandson could remain King of Spain so long as the two don’t merge

• Out of these wars, Britain took Gibraltar from the Spanish and also gained access to the trading of enslaved Africans

• Britain also gained Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from France

Louis’ Death and Legacy• Last years were more sad than glorious the people were

tired of the Sun King and his financial instability on France• He was a great leader who made France superior in art,

literature, military, etc. but whom also collected economic debt and royal abuse of power

• His heirs had to deal with his legacy, which would lead to revolution in 1789

Central European Monarchs Clash

Thirty Years War• Lutherans join forces with Protestants, and Catholics form the

Catholic League leads to warfare Bohemian Protestant Revolt• Future HRE, Ferdinand II, was the head of the Hapsburg family• Catholics didn’t trust Ferdinand II because he was Catholic

and begin to close some of the Protestant churches. Some Protestants revolted, and Ferdinand II sends in an army to put down the revolt

• This began the Thirty Years War, which was a conflict over religion and territory: characterized by Hapsburg defeats and Hapsburg triumphs

Hapsburg Triumphs• The war lasted from 1618-1648. • During the first 12 years of the war, Hapsburg armies

crushed the Protestant troops• Ferdinand paid his army of 125,000 men which allowed

them to stay loyal to the Catholic causeHapsburg Defeats• Protestant leader Gustavas Adolphus of Sweden fielded an

army of 23,000 shifted the war in 1630.• Driving the Hapsburg Catholics outside of Germany,

Gustavas was killed in 1632. Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin dominated the remaining years of the war

Peace of Westphalia• The war did great damage to Germany- population dropped

from 20-16 million• Trade and agriculture were disrupted, and their economies

suffered for it why Germany didn’t unify until 1800’s• The Peace of Westphalia ended the war (1648)• The treaty had these ramifications:1. Weakened Hapsburg states of Spain and Austria2. Strengthened France by awarding it German territory3. Made German princes independent of HRE4. Ended religious wars in Europe5. Introduced a new method of settling disputes

Beginning of Modern States• The treaty abandoned idea of Catholic Empire, and

recognized Europe as a group of equal, independent nations. This was the most important result of the war

States form in Central Europe• Major powers of Central Europe were Poland, HRE, and

Ottoman EmpireEconomic Contrasts with the West• During the late middle ages, serfs moved from the manor

to the towns and rose to the middle class. In central Europe, the aristocracy passed laws preventing serfs to gain freedom and move to cities.

Several Weak Empires• The landowning nobles in central Europe blocked the

development of strong kings. Ex) Polish nobles limit the power of the Polish king

• The two empires, Ottoman and HRE, were limited in power also due to their inability to further expand westward and the Thirty Years War

Austria Grows Stronger• One family, the Hapsburgs, took steps to become absolute

monarchs• During the Thirty Years War, they captured Bohemia. Next,

they centralized government and created an army. Lastly, the Hapsburg reclaimed Hungary from the Ottoman Empire.

• In 1711, the Hapsburg ruler was Charles VI. He ruled over the Austrian, Hungarian, and Bohemian empires.

Maria Theresa Inherits the Austrian Throne• In order to ensure that Hapsburgs kept their rule over those

lands, Charles VI persuaded other leaders of Europe to sign an agreement allowing Charles VI’s daughter to be the heir to the throne.

• Maria Theresa was his daughter, and she faced years of war with Prussia once she took over.

Prussia Challenges Austria• The Hohenzollerns family ruled Austria, and they were as

ambitious for power as the HapsburgsRise of Prussia• In 1640, a twenty years old a Hohenzollern (Frederick

William) inherited Brandenburg• The “Great Elector” created a standing army of 80,000

men, and funded this force through permanent taxation• The landowning nobility, Junkers, didn’t like the growing

power of the kings. To appease the Junkers, Frederick William grants them officer positions in his army which created a very loyal, very organized military state.

Frederick the Great• Frederick worried that his son, also Frederick, wasn’t

military minded enough to rule• The son, Frederick, loved philosophy, art, and music• In 1730, the son and a friend attempt to run away. The

father, Frederick, orders his son to watch his friend be beheaded

• The son becomes known as Frederick the Great, and uses that memory to be stern militaristic leader

• He does, however, allow religious toleration and legal reform

War of the Austrian Succession• In 1740, Maria Theresa succeeded her father (5 months

after Frederick II takes control of Prussia)• Frederick wanted Silesia, which is a territory just outside of

Prussia• He didn’t think Maria was strong enough to protect her

land, and sent in troops to occupy Silesia this started the War of Austrian Succession (1740)

• Maria Theresa seeks help from the British to aid the Austrians against the French and Prussians.

• Although Maria Theresa stops Prussia’s aggression, Austria did lose Silesia in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)

Seven Years War• Maria Theresa allied Austria with France and Russia while

Prussia allied themselves with Britain. Both Prussia and Austria switched allies, and for the first time Russia was involved in European conflict

• In 1756 Frederick attacked the Austrian ally of Saxony. This started the Seven Years War, which did not change any territorial situations in Europe.

• The British emerged as the real victors of the Seven Years War, France lost its American colonies, and Britain gained economic domination of India. this paved the way for British expansion

Absolute Rulers of Russia• Ivan III (r. 1462-1505) did many things: conquered

much of the territory around Moscow, liberated Russia from the Mongols, and centralized Russian government.

• Ivan III was succeeded by his son Vasily, and eventually his grandson Ivan IV

The First Czar• Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) came to power in 1533• The boyars tried to control Ivan IV, but at 16 years old he

had himself crowned “Czar” first Russian czar• Married Anastasia, daughter of a boyar family• Years from 1547-1560 are called Ivan’s “good years”

because he won military battles, gained land, created Russian law, and ruled justly

Rule by Terror• Ivan’s “bad period” began in 1560 after his wife Anastasia

died.• He believed groups of boyars poisoned his wife, and

created his own police force to hunt down those responsible. They dressed in black and rode black horses

• He killed many boyars and their families, and gave their land to a new noble class in return for loyalty to him

• In 1581, he killed his oldest son who was the heir to the throne. This caused his weak second son to rule after he died

Rise of the Romanovs• Younger son proved mentally and physically incapable• time period after Ivan IV is known as “Time of Troubles”

boyars struggled for more power, and heirs mysteriously died without explainable causes

• In 1613, Russian representatives met to choose the next czar. They chose Michael Romanov, grandnephew of Ivan IV’s wife Anastasia begins the Romanov dynasty which ruled from 1613-1917.

Peter the Great Comes to Power• Over time, the Romanovs restore order to Russia by putting down

revolts and creating a new law code• In 1696, Peter the Great took the throne for himself (previously

split between his brother and himself) and would become one of Russia’s greatest reformers

Russia Contrasts with Europe• When Peter came to power, Russia was still ran under feudalism

with serfs and boyars• Russia prevented serfs from leaving the manor and becoming free• Religious differences widened the gap between Europe and

Russia Russia adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity from Byzantines while Western Europe remained Catholic or Protestant.

• Culture was different in general due to the fact that Mongol rule in Russia had isolated them from the Reformation and the Renaissance, and the seaport in Archangel was frozen most of the year.

Peter Visits the West• Peter believed in order to be stronger, Russia needed a

warm-water port• In 1697, just a year after becoming czar, he began his

“Grand Embassy” to gain ideas and innovations from Europeans first time a czar had traveled amongst “heretics”

Peter Rules Absolutely• Peter returns from Europe and wants to adopt some of

their culture in Russia “westernization”Peter’s Reforms• In order to make sure Russia witnessed change, Peter

began transforming his power into an absolutist ruler• He brought the Russian Orthodox church under state

control by creating the “Holy Synod” to steer the church in his direction

• He reduced the power of landowners• He recruited men from low-ranking families and then

promised them authority and land for their loyalty• He hired European officers to drill his soldiers on European

tactics and weaponry. To pay for the army of 200,000 he raised taxes.

Westernizing Russia• To westernize Russia, Peter took these measures:1. Introduced Potatoes, which became the staple of Russian

diet2. Started Russia’s first newspaper3. Raised women’s status4. Ordered nobles to trash their clothes and adopt western

fashion5. Advanced education in arts and sciences• He believed that education was the key to Russia’s progress

Establishing St. Petersburg• Peter fought Sweden to gain a piece of the Baltic Coast to

ensure Russia a warm-water port• In 1703, Russian troops occupied a new city on Swedish

lands and eventually called in St. Petersburg• Building on a swamp was hard work, and Peter required

serfs to leave home every summer and come to work in St. Petersburg to keep the city thriving

• 25,000-100,000 died from disease and bad working conditions

• In addition, he required many nobles to leave their homes in Moscow and move to St. Petersburg in order to settle the new capital

• By his death in 1725, Peter had all but westernized Russia and helped Russia compete with Europe

Parliament Limits the English Monarchy• Queen Elizabeth of England battles with Parliament over $ • The struggle between Parliament and the Queen was the

main obstacle preventing absolutism• This would lead to many conflicts in the 17th century for

England

Monarchs Defy the Parliament • Elizabeth had no children, so her cousin James (king of

Scotland) inherited the English throne in 1603 England and Scotland shared a ruler

James’s Problems• He inherited the unsettled issues of Elizabeth’s reign• Worst struggles with Parliament were over $• He offended Puritans by not prohibiting Catholicism in

England

Charles Fights Parliament• In 1625 James dies, and Charles I (his son) takes the throne• Charles constantly needed $ to fund his wars with Spain and France• When they denied, he dissolved Parliament• In 1628 he’s forced to call Parliament back into action. They deny

him further money until he agrees to sign the Petition of Right, in which Charles agreed to four points:

1. He would not imprison subjects without due cause2. He wouldn't levy taxes without Parliament’s consent3. He wouldn’t house soldiers in private homes4. He wouldn’t impose martial law in peacetime• This was important because it set the precedent that the law was

even higher than the king challenged absolute monarchy in England

• In 1629 he again dissolved Parliament. To generate revenue he imposed fees and fines on the people, and his popularity declined year after year.

English Civil War• Charles offended Puritans by upholding Anglicanism• When trying to impose an Anglican prayer book on the

Presbyterian Scots, the Scots rebelled and threatened to invade England

• In order to generate money, Charles called Parliament back • This time, Parliament was out to oppose absolutismWar Topples a King• Parliament passes laws to limit Charles power. He then

tries to have them arrested but they escape. The English people swarm Charles’s palace, forcing him to flee north to find supporters

• English Civil War lasted from 1642-1649 ---Royalists/Cavaliers vs. Roundheads

• Originally, neither side got an advantage. The Puritans find Oliver Cromwell to lead them, and in 1645 the tide of the war turned in favor of Puritans. King was held prisoner in 1647.

• In 1649, Puritans brought Charles to trial for treason against Parliament. He’s found guilty, and executed

• This was monumental because it’s the first time a reigning monarch had been publicly tried and executed

Cromwell’s Rule• In 1649, Cromwell abolishes the monarchy and est. a

republican form of gvmt.• Cromwell immediately had to put down a rebellion in

Ireland. He seized their lands and homes and gave them to English soldiers

• Fighting, famine, and plague killed hundreds of thousands

Puritan Morality• Back in England, Cromwell and Puritans reform society• Made laws forbidding sinful activities (sports, theater,

dancing)• While Cromwell was devout, he believed in religious

toleration for all Christians that weren’t Catholic

Restoration and Revolution• After Cromwell’s death in 1658, his government was

demolished and a new Parliament selected• In 1659, Parliament votes for older son of Charles I to ruleCharles II Reigns• Called the Restoration because he re-established the

monarchy• During his reign, Parliament passes habeas corpus• Parliament debates who to succeed Charles II. With no

male heir, Charles’s brother James is considered• James was Catholic, so the Whigs opposed him but the

Tories supported him• These were the first English political parties

James II and the Glorious Revolution• Charles II died in 1685, and James took the throne• He offended his people by publicly displaying his Catholic

faith• James II appointed Catholics to high office, which violated

English law. He also dissolved Parliament for opposing • In 1688, James has a son and English Protestants grow

weary that there will be a line of Catholic kings in England• James’s daughter Mary was married to William, Prince of

the Netherlands. Both were Protestant, and Parliament invited them to overthrow James II in what becomes known as the Glorious Revolution

Limits on Monarch’s Power• William and Mary agree to recognize Parliament as their

partner in governing creates a constitutional monarchy rather than an absolute monarchy

Bill of Rights• To make royal limits on power clear, Parliament passed the

Bill of Rights in 1689. They stated that the ruler could not:1. Suspend Parliament’s laws2. Levy taxes without permission of Parliament3. Interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament4. Penalize a citizen who petitions the king about grievances• William and Mary consented to all of these.

Cabinet System Develops• After 1688 there was political gridlock Parliament had to

consent to the monarch, and the monarch had to consent to the Parliament

• During the 1700’s the idea of a “cabinet” emerged. The cabinet was a group of officials who served on behalf of the Parliament as well as the monarch

• Under the cabinet system, the leader of the majority party in Parliament is the Prime Minister