European Absolutism study guide summary chapters

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European Absolutism study guide summary chapters

Overview and review guide for European Absolutism 1400-1789.

The 17th century was a period of great upheaval in Europe. Religious and territorial conflicts between states led to almost continuous warfare. This caused governments to build huge armies and levy even heavier taxes on an already suffering population. Then pressures in turn brought about widespread unrest. In response to these crises, Monarchs tried to impose order by increasing their own power. As absolute rulers, they regulated everything from religious worship to social gatherings. Their goal was to free themselves from the limitations imposed by nobility and by representative bodies such as Parliament. Only with such freedom could they rule absolutely.

Pre-conditions of Absolutism	Impact on Europe	Impact on world	Characteristics of a Divine Right Absolute Monarch
Crusades Holy Wars	+increased trade +new Technology (gun powder, compass) + Learned from Muslim’s	+ culture exchange -Racism - Holy Wars	* Breakdown of the Churches authority * Decreased power of the nobles * Increase size of Army/Navy * Gained wealth from taxes * Warfare * Wealthier (all social classes) * Increased population of European nations * Kings claimed power of God on Earth and ruled with total power
Reformation- changes to the catholic church Renaissance – rebirth of knowledge	+Improved military technology (Wars) +weakened Pope +Monarchs powers increased- (the Prince- Machievilli ) +colonization to spread faith	- Forced cultural change -loss of land
Colonization	+European increase power, wealth and military + new trade routes improve quality of life in Europe	- Forced cultural change -loss of land -slave trade
Columbian Exchange	+ new trade routes improve quality of life in Europe +New foods lead to longer and better lives	-death to 40+ million -loss of land/culture -slave trade -racism
Commercial Revolution	+ mercantilism allows for European nations and kings to grow in power + new trade routes improve quality of life in Europe	-death to 40+ million -loss of land/culture -slave trade

Themes to understand: By the end of this unit you should be able to answer the following tasks.

Power	How did rulers use their power? What was the impact on their nations, peasants and nobles?
Change	Evaluate the changes each Monarch made to their nations.
Political Systems	What are the basic characteristics of Absolutism? Compare and contrast Absolutism and Constitutional monarchy. Identify the ways in which monarchs consolidated power and evaluate the positive and negative results of their rule.
Human and Physical Geography	Explain how Geography impact historical events leading to Absolutism.

Terms	People	Events
mercantilism Versailles Divine Right Absolute Monarch Edict of Nantes westernization St. Petersburg boyars Czar Constitutional monarchy English Bill of Rights	Huguenots Catholics Sun King Phillip II Peter the Great (Romanov) Louis the 14 (Bourbon) Oliver Cromwell John Locke Thomas Hobbes Ivan the Terrible William & Mary	War of Spanish Succession Magna Carta English Civil War restoration Glorious Revolution

Chapter 21.3
Thirty Years War 1618-1648
In 1617, Protestant and Catholic states in Germany go to war

The Thirty Years War causes great destruction- 4 million killed- Germany economy ruined- Hatred and distrust between the states
The Peace of Westphalia ends the war in 1648, with major effects on central European states and their allies
Weakened Spain and Austria- 2) Strengthen France 3) ended religious wars in Europe

Central Europe differs from the West

The formation of states in central Europe occurs slower than in western Europe
Central Europe nobles hold down serfs and block the development of strong kings- prevent the development of capitalism and the growth of towns that made western Europe strong.
The Holy Roman Empire loses strength after the Thirty Years’ War , but Austria remains a powerful force in Central Europe

Prussia and Austria Clash

Prussian challenges Austrian rule in central Europe
Prussian rulers Frederick William and Frederick the Great forge a military state that limits the power of nobles
In the 1700s, Prussia battles Austria in wars that involve other European powers ( England and France) these wars are fought for control of territory in Europe and of their colonies
Maria Theresa- imposed limits on nobility- built up army to defend against Prussia, improved working conditions for serfs-

Chapter 21.2
French Absolute Monarchs
Louis the 14th (1639- 1715)

Cardinal Mazarin rules France during Louis XIV’s childhood
Mazarin raises taxes and strengthens the central government
Louis’s finance minister Jean Bapriste Colbert, tries to make France economically self-sufficient
“L’etat c’est moi,”- “I am the State.”

Louis’s Grand Style

Louis XIV surrounds himself with luxury brings nobles to his court and makes them wait on him (500 cooks)
He builds a lavish place at Versailles( 2.5-3 billion dollars) and becomes a great patron of the arts that glorified him

Louis fight disastrous wars

Louis builds up a large army and wages war to expand French territory and influence
Other European nation join forces to equal French power (England, Netherlands, Spain)
France gains but eventually weakens from constant War
On his death the people of France rejoiced

Chapter 21.4: Russian Czars Increase Power

Explain the differences between Russia and western Europe
Describe the impact of Peter’ reforms on Russia

Setting the Stage
Ivan the third (III) 3 accomplishments

Conquered territory around Moscow
Liberated Russian from Mongols
Centralized the power of the Russian Government

From Ivan to the Romanovs
The First Czar

Ivan the Terrible-(1533)- struggled for power with boyars- Russian nobles
Married Anastasia
(1547-1560)- Ivan’s “good period” –won victories increased Russian territory – code of laws and ruled justly

Rule by Terror

“bad period” 1560- Anastasia died- Ivan turned against Boyars
Ivan murdered traitors
Used secret police (dressed in black) –executed thousands of boyars
1581-killed his son in an act of rage- left Russia with no heirs

Rise of the Romanovs

Time of Troubles- Struggle of Boyars for power- many czars are murdered

Peter the Great Takes the Throne

Peter the Great- one of Russia great reformers- came to power 1696

Russia’s Differences from Europe

Russian society: boyars and serfs
Serfs- controlled by landowners- illegal for them to run away
Constantinople was the model of Russia-
Mongol rule had cut Russia off from Renaissance and exploration

Peter Visits the West

Peter believed Russia’s future depended on a warm weather port
“Grand Embassy” – visit to western Europe to learn customs and industrial techniques

Peter Rules Absolutely

Westernization- using Europe as a model for change (modernization)
Peter increased his powers as an absolute monarch
Brought the Russian Orthodox church under his control
Reduced power of nobles and landlords
Modernized the army – increased the size to 200,000 men
Increased taxes

Westernization Russia

Introduced potatoes- improve diet
First newspaper

St. Petersburg- was built by thousands of serfs ( new capital)

Peter made Russia a power in European
Improved status with women
Ordered nobles to give-up traditional clothes and beards

A New Capital

Peter fought Sweden (most powerful army of the time) to gain access to the Baltic Sea and give Russia a “window to the west”

Chapter 21.5 Parliament Limits the English Monarchy

Objectives, I will be able to…

Identify conflicts between English rulers and Parliament
Explain the causes and results of the English Civil War
Describe the Restoration and Glorious Revolution
Explain political changes under William and Mary

Monarchs Clash with Parliament
Queen Elizabeth I – frequent problems with Parliament (fight over $$)
*Parliament controls finances of England = why monarchs could never rule absolutely
King James I – Elizabeth’s cousin, becomes king 1603

Believes in “divine right” – doesn’t want to kiss up to Parliament
Calvinist (Protestant) but refused to reform Catholic Church in England
King James Bible, 1611 – still read by Protestants today

Charles I – 1625, always needed $$ from Parliament - @ war w/ France & Spain
*parliament finally refuses to give $$ unless Charles signs Petition of Right

“Laws were higher than the King”, contradicted absolute monarchy
Charles dissolves Parliament

English Civil War

Charles I recalls Parliament but the two sides clash

Oliver Cromwell (Puritan) vs. Charles I (Royalists)
Cromwell wins, executes Charles I and rules as a dictator
1649 – Abolishes monarchy & House of Lords
Cromwell = religious toleration for all Christians, except Catholic

During Cromwell’s rule more than 600,000 Irish/Catholics

die (Genocide).

Puritan Morality reformed society based on Christian laws- sins: dancing, drinking, playing cards or going to a theater. (the English rejoiced the day he died)

Restoration and Revolution
1659 – Parliament brought back, pick Charles II to become King
Parliament passes Habeas Corpus – prisoners are brought before a judge

1685 – Charles II dies, brother James II becomes king
James II = Catholic – people afraid of Catholic rule
Daughter, Mary (Protestant) & husband, William of Orange (Netherlands)
overthrow James II = Glorious Revolution, 1688

Political Changes (Major Turning point in English history)
William and Mary agree to govern with Parliament in a constitutional monarchy- Kings of England where now had to follow several laws- and all citizens had some rights.
English Bill of Rights

No suspending of Parliaments Laws
No levying of taxes without a specific grant from Parliament
No interfering with freedom of speech in Parliament
No penalty for a citizen who petitions the king about grievances

*After 1688, no British monarch could rule without the consent of Parliament
Problem = Monarch & Parliament disagree, no government à cabinet = link between the two

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