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Absolutism

Absolutism. “ Absolute Power corrupts absolutely ” What does this mean????. Absolutism - absolute rule The divine right of kings The monarch ’ s right to rule came from God. 16th & 17th Centuries Europe in a state of Crisis People needed law, order stability

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Absolutism

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  1. Absolutism “Absolute Power corrupts absolutely” What does this mean????

  2. Absolutism - absolute rule • The divine right of kings • The monarch’s right to rule came from God

  3. 16th & 17th Centuries Europe in a state of Crisis • People needed law, order stability • Strong ruler would provide the peace the people desired

  4. By mid 1700’s 4 of the 5 power of Europe were ruled by Absolute monarchs • The 5th had a limited monarchy

  5. Charles V - King of Spain, Holy Roman Emperor • Reigned 1519 -1556 • “The Empire on which the sun never sets” • Fought to suppress Protestantism in German states • Supported the Council of Trent • Oversaw conquest of Mexico and Peru • Success of Magellan's voyage brought $$$$ to Spain Abdicated to Son & Brother

  6. Philip II- King of Spain1556 - 98 • Strengthen Cath. Church: through the Inquisition Religious wars • Drove Muslims and Jews from Spain • Armada - lost • Economic problems: • Costly wars • High taxes • Soaring inflation • Expulsion of Muslims and Jews

  7. Henry IV -King of France 1589 - 1610 • Fought Catholic opposition to get throne • Converts to Catholic • Issues Edict of Nantes • Improves roads, builds bridges • Reduces influence of Nobility

  8. Louis XIII 1610 - 1654King of France • Came to the throne at age 9!! • France ruled by mother and others • Caught up in Thirty Years War (1618) • 1624 appointed Cardinal Richelieu Chief Minister

  9. Louis XIV - King of France 1654-1715 • 1661 took control of government • Treasury bankrupt • Appointed “intendents” to collect taxes, recruit soldiers carry out policies • Economy based on mercantilism • Encouraged industry • Modernized the army • Fostered overseas colonies • Built Versailles • Improved Paris • Revoked the Edict of Nantes

  10. Across the “pond” a different sort of monarchy was developing

  11. Late Middle Ages • 1215 – King John signs the Magna Carta • Began to take power from the monarchy

  12. Henry VII • United England • War of the Roses • Positive gains working with Parliament • Parliament approved taxes,laws King =Head of state

  13. This was not Absolute Power This was a LIMITED MONARCHY

  14. Henry VIII King of England1509-1547 • Separation of Church of England from Roman Catholicism • Increased treasury • Increased enemies • Prot v Catholic wars • With France & Spain • Started Royal navy • Believed in absolute power

  15. Elizabeth I Queen of England 1558-1603 • Put England on road to world power • Knew how to “work” with Parliament • Religious toleration • Defeated the Spanish Armada

  16. James I- King of England1603-1625 • Believed in Divine Right • Repeatedly clashed with Parl. • Money • Foreign policy • Ignored concerns of nobility Colonization in America Jamestown • Clashed with Puritans • Pilgrims

  17. Charles I- King of England1625-1649 • Struggled for power w/ Parliament • English against interference w/ church and taxes • Parliament forced Chales to sign Petition of Right • Religious mistrust & problems w/ Parliament lead to Civil War

  18. English Civil War • Cavaliers – Monarch, peasants, Anglicans, North, West • Roundheads – Cromwell • Parliaments, Middle classs, Puritans, South, east,

  19. E Cromwell’s army defeated the Cavaliers Charles is captured, tried and executed.

  20. This sent a clear message in England: • No ruler could claim absolute power and ignore the rule of law

  21. England without a Monarch • Oliver Cromwell - leader of English Civil War • Abolishes monarchy, Parliament • Harsh measures against Irish Catholic majority • Suppressed those demanding equality for all • Enforced Puritans “laws” • Encouraged education • Welcomed back Jews

  22. Invited back to England Accepted petition of Rights Avoided Father’s mistakes w/ Parliament (had a Catholic wife!!) Turning point in English history The Monarchy’s powers are limited by Parliament Charles II King of England 1660-1685

  23. James II, King of England1685-1688 • Opposed as too French, too Catholic, too Absolute • Tension exploded when he had a son (2nd wife) • Fled England • Glorious Revolution

  24. William And Mary1689-1702

  25. Parliament INVITED James’ daughter and husband to rule • Had to sign English Bill of Rights • Parliament had “power over the purse” • Monarch could not suspend laws • No Catholic could rule • Monarchy had power but had to obey laws

  26. English Government Absolute Monarchy > . Magna Carta > Petition of Rights> . Bill of Rights = Limited Monarchy

  27. Thirty Years War 1618-48 • Religious war • Worst so far in death and destruction • Ended with Peace of Westphalia • Germany divided into 360 states • Ruled by Holy Roman Emperor

  28. Maria Theresa 1740-80Holy Roman Empress • Inherited financial problems • Challenged right to succession = European wars • War w/ Prussia • Appealed to other European leaders for help & saved her empire • Reorganized government • Strengthened army • Improved economy • Social reforms • Serf reforms • Limited power of nobles

  29. Joseph II Holy Roman Emperor 1765-90 • Continued mother’s reforms • But with strong belief in absolute power

  30. Frederick William I King of Prussia 1713-1740 • Gained loyalty of nobles • Reduced their independence • Great emphasis on military values • Built one of best armies in Europe • Mandatory military service • Extremely frugal • Encouraged farming

  31. Frederick the GreatKing of Prussia 1740-1786 • Preferred the flute & poetry • Subjected to harsh military training • Proponent of Enlightened Absolutism • Modernized and unite Prussia • Enlarged borders • Great tactical military mind

  32. Russia - 1600 • 100 years behind Europe • Untouched by the Renaissance

  33. Peter the GreatTsar of Russia 1682-1721 • Brought western technology to Russia • Most autocratic ruler of Europe • Forced western styles and customs • Strengthened serfdom to placate nobility • Improved education, economic policies • Created largest standing army, built a navy • Gained port on Baltic • Built city of St. Petersburg • Began exploring

  34. Catherine the GreatEmpress of all Russia 1762-96 • German Princess • Overthrew husband to become ruler • Continued policies of Peter I • Ruthless monarch • Gained port on Black sea • Divided up Poland with Austria & Prussia

  35. By 1750 • 5 powers dominated Europe • Formed alliances to maintain the balance of power • Prussia (Prot) v Austria (Cath) • For the Germanic states • Britain (Prot) v France(Cath) • For overseas empires

  36. As these five nations competed with on another to maintain the balance of power new ideas were beginning to form in the minds of men and women that would bring change. • That would upset the balance of power and shatter the status quo.

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