Chapter 7 Crisis and Absolutism in Europe Section

Chapter 7 Crisis and Absolutism in Europe

Section 1 – Europe in Crisis: The Wars of Religion • QOD – What were the causes and results of France’s wars of religion? • Objective – Explore the struggles between Catholics and Protestants during this period.

The French Wars of Religion • Calvinism & Catholicism had become militant religions by 1560. • Their struggles against one another was the main cause of Europe’s 16 th century religious wars

The French Wars of Religion • French civil wars were known as French Wars of Religion (1562 -1598) • Huguenots- French Protestants influenced by John Calvin – 7% of the total French population were Huguenot, made up 50% of the nobility • The house of Bourbon ruled the southern French kingdom of Navarre

The French Wars of Religion • The Valois monarchy- strong Catholics • Ultra-Catholics- group in France, strongly opposed the Huguenots • Townspeople helped the nobles weaken the monarchy • Civil war raged for 30 years until in 1589, Henry of Navarre succeeded to the throne as Henry IV

The French Wars of Religion • Henry of Navarre converted to Catholicism because he knew as a Protestant he would not have support – Issued the Edict of Nantes – Edict of Nantes- recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France and gave the Huguenots the right to worship and to enjoy all political privileges

Phillip II and Militant Catholicism • Phillip II was known as the most Catholic king • His reign was a period of cultural and political greatness • He controlled by his strict adherence to Catholicism and support of the monarchy • Formed a Holy League against the Turks

Phillip II and Militant Catholicism • Nobles in the Spanish Netherlands resented Phillip II trying to consolidate his control of their lands • The Dutch prince, William the Silent, offered growing resistance to Phillip • 1609 - a 12 year truce stopped the wars and the north became the United Provinces of the Netherlands

Phillip II and Militant Catholicism • Spain was the world’s most populous empire when Phillip’s reign ended in 1598. • Seemed a great power, but he has bankrupted the country by spending on war • Spain’s armies were out of date and the govt. inefficient. • Real power shifted to England

The England of Elizabeth • Elizabeth Tutor-had the throne in 1558 • During reign the small island became the leader of the Protestant nations and laid the foundation for becoming world empire • Repealed laws favoring Catholics • Moderate in foreign affairs, kept France and Spain from being too powerful

The England of Elizabeth • In 1588, Spain sent an armada, fleet of ships, to invade England • Fleet did not have manpower nor the ships to win

Section 2 – Social Crises, War, and Revolution • QOD – What problems troubled Europe from 1560 to 1650? • Objective – Describe the results of the Thirty Years’ War and the English and Glorious Revolutions.

Economic and Social Crisis • 1560 -1650 - Europe experienced economic and social crisis • Inflation-rising of prices • 1600 - an economic slowdown had hit Europe • 1620 - population began to decline – Warfare, plague, and famine to decline and social tension

The Witchcraft Trials • Belief in witchcraft or magic had been part of village life for centuries • More than 100, 000 were seized and charged with witchcraft – Most often common people – 75% were women- (single, widowed, over 50) • Accused were tortured and often confessed • 1650 -witchcraft hysteria lessened

The Thirty Years’ War • Religious disputes continued in Germany after the Peace of Augsburg because the peace settlement did not recognize Calvinism, which spread throughout Europe

The Thirty Years’ War • Thirty Years’ War- “last of the religious wars” – Religion, politics, & territory all played a role – France, Spain, and Germany were involved

The Thirty Years’ War • Most important struggle was for leadership of Europe-France against Spain and the Holy Roman Empire • Battles took place on German soil, Germany was destroyed

The Thirty Years’ War • Peace of Westphalia- officially ended the 30 Years’ War • It stated that all German states could determine their own religion • The Thirty Years’ War was Europe’s most destructive

Revolutions in England • 17 th century- the English Revolution-struggle between Parliament & the king to determine the power of each in governing England

Revolutions in England • The Tutor dynasty ended with Elizabeth’s death • Stuart King of Scotland, James I, ascended to the throne • Devine right of kings- the idea that kings receive their power from God and are responsible only to God

Revolutions in England • Puritans- Protestants in England inspired by Calvinist ideas – Disagreed with the king’s defense of the Church of England, wanted it to be more Protestant

Revolutions in England • Conflict came to a head under the reign of, Charles I (James I’s son) • Charles I also believed in divine rights • 1628 - Parliament passed petition prohibiting passing taxes without Parliament’s consent • Charles also tried to add ritual to the Protestant services • 1000 s of Puritans fled to America

Revolutions in England • Civil war broke out in 1642 between supporters of the king (Cavaliers or Royalists) and those of Parliament (Roundheads) • Parliament won because of the New Model Army and military genius, Olivier Cromwell • Independents- soldiers in the New Model Army

Revolutions in England • Cromwell executed Charles I- Charles I execution horrified much of Europe • The Rump Parliament was what was left after Cromwell purged the members who did not support him • Olivier Cromwell’s defeat of the king’s forces allowed him to take control of England eventually establish a military dictatorship

Revolutions in England • Cromwell ruled until his death in 1658 • Parliament restored the monarchy and Charles II took the throne • Parliament kept much of the power it had gained • It restored the Church of England as the state religion and restricted some rights of Catholics and Puritans

Revolutions in England • 1685 - James II became king, a devout Catholic • James name Catholics to high positions and conflict over religion brewed again • Parliament did not want James II Catholic son to assume throne

Revolutions in England • English nobleman invited the Dutch leader, William of Orange to invade England • He and his wife, Mary, raised an army and went to England • James and his family fled. Very little violence

Revolutions in England • England underwent the Glorious Revolution • Glorious Revolution- the invasion of England by William of Orange, overthrew James II with almost no bloodshed

Revolutions in England • 1689 - William and Mary accepted throne • Bill of Rights- laid the foundation for a constitutional monarchy in England – Parliament had the right to make laws & levy taxes – Rights of citizens to bear arms – Jury trial

Revolutions in England • Toleration Act of 1689 - granted Puritans but not Catholics the right of public worship – Few were persecuted for religion again

Section 3 – Response to Crisis: Absolutism • QOD – What is absolutism? • Objective – Define absolutism, describe the absolute monarchs, and explain the basis for their power.

France under Louis XIV • One response to the crisis of the 17 th century was to seek stability by increasing the monarchy’s power – Absolutism- a system of government in which a ruler holds total power – Absolute monarchs could levy taxes, make laws, administer justice, control officials, and foreign policies

France under Louis XIV • Louis XIV’s reign is the best ex. of absolutism • He fostered the myth of himself as Sun King • Louis XIV maintained complete authority as monarch by distracting the noble and royal princes with court life, to keep them out of politics

France under Louis XIV • Cardinal Richelieu- Louis XIII’s chief master • Cardinal Richelieu strengthened the power of the monarchy by taking away the Huguenots’ political and military rights and executing conspirators

France under Louis XIV • Jean-Baptiste Colbert- sought to increase France’s wealth and power by following the ideas of mercantilism

Russia under Peter the Great • Peter the Great- introduced Western customs and ways of doing things to Russia • His goal was to make Russia a great power • The key was his conquering the port from Sweden with access to Europe through the Baltic Sea. His new city was called, St. Petersburg.

Section 4 – The World of European Culture • QOD – What two art movements emerged in the 1500 s? • Objective – Explain the important artistic movements, writers, and philosophers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Mannerism • Mannerism marked the end of the artistic Renaissance • This movement fit Europe’s climate of the time • People wished for spiritual experience

Mannerism • Mannerism reached its height with the painter El Greco • El Greco’s work reflected the high point of Mannerism

The Baroque Period • Baroque- the style of painting that is known for its use of dramatic effects to arouse the emotions • Gian Lorenzo Bernini- Italian architect and sculptor, greatest figure of this period. Saint Peter’s Basilica is an example of his work.

A Golden Age of Literature • William Shakespeare- his work is the best example of Elizabethan literature • Miguel de Cervantes- wrote the novel Don Quixote

Political Thought • John Locke- his ideas can be found in the American Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution

Comparing Thomas Hobbes and John Locke • The English revolutions caused very different responses from 2 English political thinkers • Thomas Hobbes- argued that a ruler with absolute power was needed to preserve order in society • John Locke- disagreed, believed the contract between people and government involved mutual obligations and respect. His ideas proved important to the American and French Revolutions