Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Setting the Stage….

• The end of the Middle Ages saw the
development of more powerful European
monarchies. As feudalism declined, stronger
national kingdoms emerged under the control
of absolute rulers.
 Absolute Monarchs
• The 1500-1800s are going to be marked by
the rule of absolute monarchs.
– Kings or Queens believed that all the power
within their states boundaries rested in their
hands. They had complete power.
– Their goal was to control every aspect of society.
• Believed in the divine right—the idea that
God created the monarchy and gave the
monarch supreme power.
Monarchies spread throughout Europe
• Absolute monarchs are going to become the
norm in Europe.
– Spanish Empire—Philip II
– France—Louis XIV
– Russia—Peter the Great
– England—Tudor Monarchy
 The Spanish Empire
The 1500s brought many new changes to
European Life.
RENAISSANCE- Led to new ideas.
EXPLORATION- Europe’s conquest of the
Americas will lead to a race for land.
REFORMATION- Religious conflicts dominated
European politics as Catholic rulers sought to
limit Protestantism.
The Spanish Empire
• Spain will emerge in the
1500s as Europe’s greatest
power.
• King Philip II
– Devout Catholic like his
father before him.
– During 42 year reign he
will strengthen his
monarchy, his nation,
and the Catholic Church
France’s Ultimate Monarch

• LOUIS XIV
“The Sun King”
• The kingdom of
France was the
strongest at the time
of Louis XIV.
• 23 years old when he
took the throne
 Absolute Monarchs
• The character and policies of Louis XIV, “The Grand
Monarch”, would shape the age of absolute
monarchs.
• He stated “I am the state”
• Used his power and wealth to pursue glory for
himself and for France.
• Louis spent a fortune to surround himself with
luxury.
– Created the Palace of Versailles.
• Estimated $2.5 billion in 2003
• Nearly 500 cooks, waiters and servants
 Palace of Versailles

15,000 acres of gardens, lawns, and woods; 1,400 fountains; 2000 rooms
Main building 500 yards long. It was like a small royal city.
 Versailles
• At Versailles, Louis XIV held elaborate parties
to show the wealth of the crown.
• Louis made the court of Versailles the center
of French culture.
• Louis paid the top playwrights of the day,
Moliere and Racine, to perform their works
for the French people.
 Louis XIV
• Louis XIV also purchased many great works of
art (Louvre Museum in Paris).

• Louis XIV needed more money to help finance

his throne.

• Help came from Jean Baptiste Colbert.

France’s Economic Growth
• Colbert served as Louis XIV
finance minister.
• Came up with ideas:
– Mercantilism
• Prevent wealth from leaving the
country.
• Wanted France self-sufficient
– Imports/ Exports
• High tariff on goods from other
countries
– Balance of Trade
– Colonies
• Provided raw materials and a
market for manufactured goods.
 Louis XIV
• Louis XIV continued to try to expand his empire through
conquests.
• Enemies continued to unite to defend themselves.
• Louis XIV failed to make any significant gains for France.
– Left a mixed legacy
• France was a powerful country in Europe
• France was considered the military leader of Europe
• Negative side – constant warfare and construction of the Palace of
Versailles plunged France into staggering debt.
• Louis XIV died in 1715
– News of his death prompted rejoicing throughout France.
What about Russia????
Russia: Peter the Great
• Peter Romanov became
known as “Peter the
Great”
• Became Czar Peter I of
Russia in 1682, the same
year Louis XIV moved into
Versailles.
• Knew very little about
Western Europe
 Russia: Peter the Great
• Because of their geographic location and the
long rule by the Mongol leaders, Russia was
cut off culturally from Western Europe.
• Peter the Great was determined to end
Russia’s isolation from the rest of the world.
• Peter traveled through Europe in search of
new ideas and culture.
Russia: Peter the Great
• Admired everything he
saw in Europe.
– Improved the status of
Women
– Agriculture (introduced
potatoes)
– Started Newspaper (Edited)
• Believed education was a
key to Russia’s progress.
 Russia: Peter the Great
• Often Peter the Great fired old leaders, hired
new leaders from the middle/low class and
grant them lands.
• These people were very loyal to Peter.
• Created an Army of over 200,000 troops.
Hired European Generals to train military.
St. Petersburg
• Peter wanted a seaport
that would make it easier
to travel to the West.
• Peter the Great created a
great city “a great window
for Russia to look out at
Europe”
• Named it St. Petersburg
after himself.
• St. Petersburg became
the new capital.
 English Monarchies
• During this time period England is also going
to be ruled by a string of monarchs.
– However, England’s monarchy will differ from the
other monarchs of Europe in that it would be
limited by the Parliament.
• Parliament—a body of representatives that makes laws
for a nation.
• Under Queen Elizabeth I, England had frequent
conflicts with Parliament.
– Many of the arguments were over money
– By the time she dies in 1603, she had left a huge debt
for her successor.
• Her cousin James Stuart of Scotland will take
over the throne.
– She had no children and James Stuart was her
nearest relative.
• James I and Parliament will quickly disagree
over the power of the King.
• James I wanted complete power of England
 ENGLAND
• In 1625, James I died.

• The feud with Parliament continued to James'

son, Charles I when he took the throne.
ENGLAND
• Charles I would ask
Parliament for money.
– Mostly for wars against Spain
and France.
• They refused unless he
signed the Petition of Right
(No taxes unless OK’d by
Parliament, No
imprisonment without
reason).
• He quickly dismissed
Parliament and ruled as a
monarch for the next 11
years.
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• 1640, In need of money to finance a war with
Scotland, Charles I called on Parliament again.

• This time Parliament made peace with Scotland and

made laws to limit the King’s power.

• Upset, King Charles led 400 troops to the House of

Commons to arrest its leaders
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• This marked the beginning of the English Civil
War.

• This war would determine where power was

in England (King or Parliament)
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• Royalists/Cavaliers: • Roundheads: those that
those that supported were loyal to
the King, included Parliament. Puritan
nobles and Catholics. townspeople and
merchants made up this
class.
• Led by King Charles I
• Led by Oliver Cromwell
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• Led by Oliver Cromwell, the Roundheads defeated the Cavaliers
and captured Charles I. The outcome of the civil war grants
power to Parliament.
• In January 1649, King Charles I was tried for treason and
executed.
• This marked the first time a monarch had been tried and
condemned by his subjects.
• Oliver Cromwell took over and abolished the monarchy. He
established a republican form of government.
– Eventually became a military dictator.
– He ruled until his death in 1659.
• Parliament asked Prince Charles Stuart to be the new King
(Charles I son).
– He restored the monarchy and the period of his rule is called Restoration.
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• Charles II did not push the “Divine Right of
Kings” or Catholicism.

• Restored some rights of the people.

• Following Charles II death, his brother James

took over.
ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• King James II took power.
• Strong Catholic

• England again was split

into two sides.
1. Tories (King)
2. Whigs (Parliament)
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• After much negotiating and maneuvering,
both the Whigs and Tories agreed that James
II must go.
• Mary (daughter of James first wife) and her
husband William of Orange took over for
James II.
• This bloodless revolution is known as the
Glorious Revolution.
ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
• William and Mary ruled
as joint sovereigns.

• Parliament presented
the new monarchs with a
“Bill of Rights” that all
future monarchs must
follow.
 Bill of Rights
• The implementation of the Bill of rights changed
the monarchy into a constitutional monarchy—
where laws limited the ruler’s power.
• Under the Bill of Rights the ruler could NOT:
– Suspend Parliament laws
– Levy taxes without permission of Parliament
– Interfere with freedom of speech in Parliament
– Impose penalties on people who start petitions
against the king or queen.
 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
New Ideas emerged from the
Glorious Revolution.
• John Locke published Two
Treaties on Government.
– People have rights and
government is created to
protect those rights.
– Life, Liberty and Property