360 likes | 1.73k Views
Absolute Monarchs of Europe. Absolutism. The belief that one ruler should hold all of the power within the boundaries of a country. The goal was to control every aspect of society. Divine Right.
E N D
Absolutism • The belief that one ruler should hold all of the power within the boundaries of a country. • The goal was to control every aspect of society.
Divine Right • Absolute monarch believed that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on Earth.
Absolutism: Causes • Religious and Territory Conflicts created fear. • The growth of national armies. • Heavy taxes that led to an increase in revolts and the need for order.
Absolutism: Effects • Rulers regulated religious and social gatherings. • Rulers increase the size of their courts to appear powerful. • Rulers create agencies in their name to control the economy.
King Philip II of Spain • He was very suspicious and preferred to do everything on his own. • A fourth of all gold coming back from Spain’s colonies went into his personal treasury. • He viewed himself as the defender of Catholicism and was determined to oppose Protestant England. • Spanish art and writing expanded.
King Louis XIV of France • The most powerful ruler in French History and he firmly believed he was France. • He was determined to never allow the nobles to threaten him and stole their power. • King Louis was known for his grand and luxurious lifestyle with multiple palaces. • Along with King Philip he carried out multiple wars to increase power
Peter the Great of Russia • Peter was extremely intelligent and well liked by all around him. • Although liked, Peter ruled with an iron fist and exiled any who opposed him. • He desired Russia to become more like the powerful kingdoms of Europe and travelled and learned from the other monarchs.
Frederick the Great of Prussia • Extremely effective military leader who for the first time in its history, began to unify Germany. • Frederick viewed himself as being in a father like role with his people. • Prussian soldiers were often hired as mercenaries around the World.
Absolute Conflict: Thirty Years War • A series of religious and territory wars (Austria vs. Prussia) • It was the final religious war in Europe. • It made Central Europe the only place with no one real absolute ruler.
Powerful Non-Absolute Nations • The Dutch: Prospered like the Italians during the Renaissance and had a Republic form of government. • The English: England was Constitutional Monarchy meaning that the King was forced to shared power with the elected Parliament