Aim Was absolutism or a limited monarchy a
Aim: Was absolutism or a limited monarchy a better government? Period 4: 1450 -1750 What was absolutism? European monarchs in the 16 th and 17 th centuries sought to have absolute, or unlimited power. Due to divine right: belief that monarchs receive their power directly from god, and are responsible to god alone. Belief that an absolute monarch would have greater control and efficiency than a monarch with less power. Supported by Thomas Hobbes, who believed people to be naturally selfish.
Absolutism in Spain A) Spain united as a nation-state when Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile in 1469. They conquered Granada (in southern Spain) in 1492. In 1492 they began the Spanish Inquisition and funded Columbus’s voyage to find an Atlantic Ocean route to the Indies.
Absolutism in Spain Continued… B) During the Age of Absolutism, the Hapsburgs remained Europe’s most powerful royal family. 1556 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V retired and divided up his Empire. His son Philip II inherited Spain, the Netherlands and overseas colonies. King Philip II made Madrid (a city in Castile) the capital of Spain. He built El Escorial that served as a royal palace, monastery and tomb. 1567 he forced the Dutch to convert to Catholicism, leading to a revolt. With help from the British, the Who wants to Netherlands declared kiss me? independence from Spain in 1581. Hapsburg Ruler and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V above and Philip II below
El Escorial, Madrid “The Habsburg King Carlos II of Spain was sadly degenerated with an enormous misshapen head. His Habsburg jaw stood so much out that his two rows of teeth could not meet; he was unable to chew. His tongue was so large that he was barely able to speak. . . he could barely read or write. . . His body remained that of an invalid child. ” discovermagazine. com
Absolutism in Spain Continued… F) As retaliation for England helping the Dutch, Philip II sent an armada (fleet) of 130 ships and 33, 000 men to England May 1588. 2 months later they entered the English Channel. England had faster and more maneuverable ships with longer range cannons. Spanish ships had to retreat to the stormy north sea after running out of supplies. Some of the Spanish ships sank near the rocky coasts of Ireland Scotland. Defeat of the Spanish Armada signaled the downfall of Spain as a global naval power.
Absolutism in Spain Continued… G) War of the Spanish Succession, (1701– 14) arose out of the disputed succession to the throne of Spain following the death of Charles II, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs. England, the Dutch Republic, and France claimed the Spanish throne war. The war ended with the Treaties of Utrecht in 1713 – 1714. ü Louis XIV's grandson Philippe was recognized as King of Spain. However, Philippe and his descendants ceded any future claim to the French throne. ü Spain's European empire was divided up between the Holy Roman Empire and England, greatly expanding the British Empire.
III Absolutism in France A) Louis XIV, a Bourbon, took the throne at 4 years old! He ruled France 1642 – 1715. He did not have real power until his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin died in 1661. Louis was 23 years old. Louis XIV believed in the Divine Right of kings; that God chose him to rule the nation. Louis XIV was called “Le Roi Soleil” (“The Sun King”). He built his palace at Versailles near Paris; it was so expensive that it drained the French economy. B) He increased the size of France’s military. 1667 – 1713 Louis XIV went to war with the Holy Roman Empire and Spain over border disputes, as well as his demand for his grandson to become the next king of Spain. (The Wars of the Spanish Succession). The wars ended 1713 with the Treaty of Utrecht. (Louis’ grandson became the king of Spain, but France and Spain could never unite under one government. *This helped keep nation-states sovereign, continuing the precedent set by the Treaty of Westphalia). C) Religion: Louis XIV revoked the Treaty of Nantes, which had granted religious freedom to Protestants. As a result, 200, 000+ Huguenots (French Protestants) fled France. D) Sep 1, 1715, Louis XIV died of gangrene at Versailles. Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years, longer than any other European monarch!
“I am the state” – Louis XIV (Sun King)
Versailles
Primary Source: Daily Rituals of the Sun King 7. 30 -8 am "Sire, it is time", the first Valet de Chamber awakens the King. . . Doctors, familiars and a few favorites … followed in succession into the bedchamber of the King who washed, combed and shaved (every other day)…The officers of the Chamber and the Wardrobe then entered… during which the King was dressed and breakfasted… 10 am: As they left the King's apartment, a procession formed in the Hall of Mirrors… 10 pm: The crowd squeezed into the antechamber of the King's apartments to attend the Grand Public Supper… - Duke of Saint Simon
Versailles
IV Absolutism in Russia A) In the 13 th century, Moscow was paid tribute to the Khans of the Golden Horde. (Mongols) The Moscovite princes expanded their territory, and eventually gained independence under Ivan III (Ivan the Great). He tripled the size of Muscovy. B) Ivan IV “The Terrible/Fearsome” was the grandson of Ivan the Great. In 1547 he proclaimed himself czar instead of the Grand Duke of Russia. He built St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. He resisted the Mongols and expanded the size of Russia, but failed to gain access to the Black Sea (and a warm water port). After the death of his wife in 1560, Ivan IV began a 24 year reign of terror. Paranoid, he sent 1000 s of boyars (nobles) to Siberia and confiscated their land, and executed many others. “The czar is in nature like all men, but in authority he is like the highest God. ” – Ivan the Terrible
Absolutism in Russia Continued… Ivan the Terrible was alleged to have tortured small animals as a child. However, there is also evidence that he had been an intelligent and sensitive child who was neglected by the boyars (Russian nobles) after his mother’s death. It was during this period that Ivan beat his pregnant daughter-in-law, causing a miscarriage, killed his son in a subsequent fit of rage, and blinded the architect of St. Basil's Cathedral. It was also during this time that he created the Oprichniki, the first official secret Russian police force [who rode on black horses and dressed all in black]. – biography. com
St. Basil’s Cathedral
St. Basil’s Cathedral Interior
Absolutism in Russia Continued… C) 1682, 10 year old Peter “The Great” became czar. Due to the destruction by the Mongols, Russia was very behind Western Europe. 1697 Peter traveled to Western Europe in disguise to gain ideas to advance Russia. He studied shipbuilding in Amsterdam with the goal of building Russia’s 1 st navy, and modeled St. Petersburg on Amsterdam. He forced boyars to “modernize” by trimming their beards and shortening their sleeves. He built colleges, and established iron and steel mills in the Ural Mountains. He lost wars with the Ottomans to gain access to the Black Sea (for a warm water port), but he won land by the Baltic from Sweden, and sent explorers to Siberia and Alaska.
Absolutism in Russia Continued… St. Petersburg was Russia’s “Window on the West”. It was designed by Western engineers to imitate Amsterdam 100 years later, Russian poet Pushkin wrote: “…Here we at Nature’s own behest. Shall break a window to the West…” Amsterdam St. Petersburg
Absolutism in Russia Continued… D) Catherine the Great was born a German princess, at 15 she wed Czar Peter III. In 1762 her husband was murdered, and Catherine took the throne. Like Peter the Great, Catherine wanted to modernize Russia. ü She promoted the French language and culture ü She increased the size of Russia. She conquered Poland divided it up with Prussia (eastern Germany). She fought the Ottoman Turks for access to the Black Sea. Unlike Peter the Great, she was successful! ü She promoted many ideals of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment (Age of Reason), and sponsored artists. However, she gave greater rights to the boyars (Russian nobles), thereby giving them greater control over their serfs. *She was afraid of losing their support if she didn’t.
Catherine the Great Continued…
Catherine the Great’s Palace
V Absolutism in England A) Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII. Ruled 1558 -1603. She increased the power of the British navy. Her navy defeated the Spanish Armada (fleet of ships on an attack mission) in 1588! Gave aid to France & the Netherlands to keep Spain from gaining power. “…I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms. . . ” Elizabeth I, 1588 Queen Elizabeth I
English Absolutism Continued… B) King Charles I believed in the divine right of kings and did not want to listen to parliament. A major complaint of the Englishmen were forced “loans” to the Crown. Anyone who refused to pay was jailed. When people complained, Charles I implemented martial law. Elizabeth I routinely wore white lead based makeup, which may have contributed to her death. She is called the “Virgin Queen” as she remained unmarried until death, but she feared losing her power.
Absolutism in England Continued… In 1628, Parliament asked Charles I to sign the Petition of Right: ü No taxes could be levied without Parliament's consent. ü No English subject could be imprisoned without cause--thus reinforcing the right of habeas corpus. ü No quartering of soldiers in citizens homes. ü No martial law may be used in peacetime. Charles I signed the petition to continue receiving funds from parliament, but refused to let Parliament meet for 11 years in retaliation! 1642 he finally called a meeting of parliament to raise taxes to modernize his navy. This led to the English Civil War.
Absolutism in England Continued… C) English Civil War: Supporters of Charles I were called Cavaliers, due to their plumed hats. Supporters of Parliament were called Roundheads, due to their short hair. Oliver Cromwell, a member of parliament, convinced parliament to raise a standing professional army. He became its leader and led the army to victory. Charles I was executed in 1649. *He was the 1 st English monarch ever executed! It sent a message that no king was above the law.
Absolutism in England Continued… D) After the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell refused to be named the new monarch. Instead, in 1653 he made himself “lord protector” of the new English Commonwealth. Cromwell and Parliament were Puritan; they believed hard work is rewarded in heaven; entertainment is pointless. The English Revolution had led to the Puritan Revolution: Inns and theatres were shut, most sports were banned and swearing was fined. According to a Royalist statesman and historian, he “mounted himself into the throne of the three kingdoms [England, Wales, and Scotland] without the name of a king but with greater power and authority than had ever been exercised or claimed by any king. ”
Oliver Cromwell, Hero or Villain? Cromwell to the first Protectorate Parliament, 22 January, 1655 “To give the devil (Cromwell) his due, he restored justice, as well distributive as commutative, almost to its ancient dignity and splendour; the judges without covetousness discharging their duties according to law and equity. . . His own court also was regulated according to a severe discipline; here no drunkard, nor whoremonger, nor any guilty of bribery, was to be found, without severe punishment. Trade began again to prosper; and in a word, gentle peace to flourish all over England. ” Physician to the Cromwellian Court, George Bate. Post-Restoration indictment of his master Oliver Cromwell. Unknown “Oliver Cromwell came to Ireland in 1649 as head of the English army that was given the task of suppressing those Royalists who wanted to restore the English monarchy… Not only was there Irish support for a monarchy, but also there was hope that Charles II would repay the Irish for its support by granting freedom of worship to the Roman Catholics. The first order of business of the new Council of State which succeeded the monarchy as ruler of England was to regain control of Ireland… The Physician-General of the Army of Cromwell, Dr. William Petty, estimated that about 504, 000 of the Irish perished and were wasted by sword, plague, famine, hardship and banishment between 23 rd October 1641 and the same day in 1652. Put another way, the population of Ireland in 1641 was 1, 448, 000 and by 1652, 616, 000 perished of which 504, 000 were natives and 112, 000 colonists and 40, 000 soldiers left Ireland to join armies on the continent. ” – John Walsh, http: //www. irish-society. org/
Absolutism in England Continued… E) Cromwell died in 1658. In 1660 Parliament asked the exiled Charles II (son of Charles I) to return to England bring back the monarchy. Charles II reopened theatres and taverns. He secretly had Catholic sympathies. “King Charles II exhumed Cromwell’s body on the twelfth anniversary of his father’s execution and in retribution for the regicide staged an execution of his own—albeit with Cromwell’s dead body. The Lord Protector’s corpse was strung up on display, beheaded and dumped into a vast London pit. Cromwell’s head was mounted on a pike on the roof of Westminster Hall, where it remained for decades as a warning to would-be revolutionaries. ” www. history. com
VI The Glorious Revolution Charles II’s brother, James II inherited the throne in 1685. James II practiced Catholicism openly. Parliament feared he would restore the Catholic Church to England. 1688 parliament invited James II’s Protestant daughter Mary Stuart and her Dutch husband William III to become rulers of England. When Mary and William III landed in England, James II fled to France. This bloodless revolution became known as the Glorious Revolution. King James II
VII The English Bill of Rights A) Before they could be crowned, William and Mary had to accepted the English Bill of Rights, that was passed by Parliament in 1689. B) The English Bill of Rights ensured the superiority of Parliament over the monarchy. 1. Required monarch to summon Parliament regularly 2. Gave the House of Commons power over spending 3. Barred any Catholic from becoming monarch 4. Monarch could no longer suspend laws 5. Renewed trial by jury 6. Affirmed habeus corpus: no person can be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime C) The Glorious Revolution created a limited monarchy, where Parliament limited the powers of the monarch.
How Similar are These? English Bill of Rights American Bill of Rights • That the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament… • That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law… • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press… (1 st Amendment) • A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. (2 nd Amendment)
VIII The Rise of Prussia “Prussians were Slavs who were forcibly Christianized in the 13 th century by the Teutonic Knights (diverted from the Crusades). Germans were brought in to farm the land by around 1350 the majority of the population was German, though the Poles annexed part of West Prussia. Germans conquered Brandenburg and the lords of Brandenburg became Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. There could not be a king of Brandenburg, which was part of the Empire, and there could not be a king of Prussia, because part of it was in Poland. However, Frederick I was permitted to call himself king in Poland, and so created the Prussian kingdom, with its capital at Berlin. Brandenburg from then on, though still owing allegiance to the Holy Roman Emperor, was treated in practice as part of the Prussian kingdom. Frederick modeled his court on Versailles. Frederick’s son and successor, Frederick William I, transformed Prussia into a military autocracy. His son Frederick the Great used his army to turn Prussia into a major European power later in the 18 th century. http: //www. historytoday. com/richard-cavendish/kingdom-prussiafounded#sthash. Fq. BMZ 8 Dc. dpuf
Prussia Continued… Above is Frederick II “The Great” To the left is the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.
HW Questions 1. Fill in the appropriate parts of your period 4 Chart. 2. What were the greatest abuses of power (in your opinion) during the Age of Absolutism? *Describe at least two abuses of power and support your answer. 3. Draw a diagram or chart showing the evolution of British government from the Magna Carta to the English Bill of Rights. 4. How should Oliver Cromwell be remembered? *use evidence from the primary sources 5. Of all of the Absolute rulers, who would you have most supported and why? 6. Imagine if England had not defeated the Spanish Armada. What would the consequences have been? Do you think it would have been better or worse for history?
Key Vocabulary Absolutism Catherine the Great Oliver Cromwell Oprichniki Cavaliers Parliament Charles I Peter the Great Charles II Petition of Right Czar/Tsar Philip II of Spain El Escorial Prussia English Bill of Rights Puritan Revolution English Civil War Queen Elizabeth I Frederick I Round Heads Frederick II “the Great” Spanish Armada Frederick William I St. Basil’s Cathedral Glorious Restoration St. Petersburg Wars of the Spanish Hapsburgs Holy Roman Empire Succession Isabella & Ferdinand Treaty of Nantes Treaty of Utrecht Ivan the Great Versailles Ivan the Terrible Louis XIV “Sun King” Madrid Magna Carta Did You Know? In English royalty, the Groom of the Stool was a servant who assisted the king with bodily functions and washing. The stool in question was a ‘close stool’ – a fixed or portable commode – and help was needed with the putting on and taking off of elaborate and expensive clothing. Most “grooms” were knights and were close advisors to the royals.
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