Absolute monarchs in europe

1. Absolute monarchs in europe By. Janine Hepler

2. Religious wars create crisis • Fighting b/t French Catholics & Huguenots • St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre • Henry IV took steps to end figthing • Huguenots: French Protestants

3. Henry IV’s Efforts in france • Gave up Protestantism & became Catholic • “Paris is well worth a mass” • Established the Edict of Nantes • Devoted his reign to rebuilding France & its prosperity Edict of Nantes • Declaration of religious toleration • Allowed Huguenots to live & worship peacefully in France • Henry IV was killed by a fanatic

4. Louis XII & Cardinal Richelieu • Henry IV’s son (Louis XII) took the thrown after his death • Weak king • Appointed Cardinal Richelieu minister—in effect served as the ruler of France

5. Richelieu’s Efforts in France • Increased the power of the Bourbon Dynasty • Ambitious Catholic politician • Involved France in the 30 Years’ War • Moved against the Huguenots—forbade Protestant cities from having walls • Weakened the nobles’ power—outlawed fortified castles & increased the power of the middle class

6. Louis XIV • Most powerful ruler in French history • Declared “I am the state!” • Began his reign at age 5

7. Cardinal Mazarin • Richelieu’s successor • Ruled France until Louis XIV was 23 • Greatest triumph: ended the 30 Years’ War making France the most powerful country in Europe • Hated by many nobles • Increased taxes • Strengthened the central government

8. Anti-Mazarin rebellions • Violent riots tore through France • Threatened King Louis XIV’s life • Ultimately failed for 3 reasons Why Rebellions Failed • Leaders distrusted each other • The government used violent repression • Ultimately peasants & townspeople accepted oppressive laws—tired of fighting

9. Louis XIV takes control • Took the thrown when Mazarin died • Further weakened the power of the nobles—excluded them from his councils • Increased the power of government agents (intendants) • Communicated regularly with local governments

10. Jean baptistecolbert • Minister of Finance under Louis XIV • Believed in the theory of mercantilism • Wanted to prevent wealth from leaving France

11. Colbert’s efforts in france • Wanted to make France self-sufficient • Expanded manufacturing by giving funds & tax benefits to French companies • Protected French industries by imposing high tariffs • Encouraged the growth of France’s colony in Canada

13. Central European monarchs clash

14. Causes of the thirty years’ war • Tension b/t Catholic & Lutheran Princes in Germany • Fear of the spread of Calvinism • Ferdinand’s attempt to limit Protestantism • Ferdinand’s attempt to crush a Protestant revolt in Bohemia

15. Consequences of the Thirty years’ war & the treaty of westphalia • Devastated Germany—didn’t become a unified state until the 1800s • Weakened the Hapsburg states of Spain & Austria • Strengthened France—received German territory • Ended religious wars in Europe • Marked the beginning of the modern state system

16. European economies Western Europe Central Europe Feudal Dependent on serf labor Untouched by the Commercial Revolution • Commercial • Capitalistic

17. Central european empires • Weak • Strong landowning nobles hindered the development of a strong monarchy • The Holy Roman Empire was weakened by the Thirty Years’ War

18. Steps to hapsburg power • Reconquered Bohemia during the Thirty Years’ War • Wiped out Protestantism • Created a loyal Czech nobility • Centralized the government & created a standing army (after the war)

19. Building up the hohenzollerns state • Created a strong standing army • Created a military state • Bought the loyalty of the Junkers—gave landowning nobility exclusive right to be officers in the army • Weakened representative assemblies • Took over Silesia