Absolutism in Europe

World History II: Introduction to Absolute Monarchy

1. Absolutism: countries & influences

2. Absolutism is a specific political doctrine that practice centralized unlimited authority over its people. It is usually in a form of monarchy or dictatorship. 2 Absolute monarchy

3. In absolutism, the king’s power is virtually unrestrained: It is unrestrained by laws—the king is considered to be above the law. The king rules by divine right, a view even claimed by medieval kings. 3 Absolute monarchy

4. C ountries who underwent Absolute rule of monarchy 4 France Spain Russia Austria Prussia

5. 5 France In France, Absolutism can be traced back in the leadership of Henry IV . Who became victor of religious wars H e gave religious tolerance across his jurisdiction by ordering the Edict of Nantes in 1598 He also improved the country’s infrastructure , building new roads and canals and repairing the ravages of years of civil war.

6. 6 Minister Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu was King Louis XIII's Chief Minister . He was a minister of the king, but he became one of the greatest builders of French absolutism . Richelieu increased the size of the bureaucracy like every succeeding king does. Cardinal Richelieu solves the Huguenot problem through assembling the French army and captured their main port city of La Rochelle.

7. 7 King Louis XIV Believed that God had positioned kings as anointed rulers on earth making them unquestioned but only to him alone. “Louis the God-given” or King Louis XIV took the throne at the age of four following the death of his father, King Louis XIII. He was well advised by his Mother Anne of Austria and his godfather Cardinal Mazarin Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes and took steps to suppress the Huguenots.

8. 8 Consequences of King Louis XIV’s Wars Weaponry and battle suits were improved during the time of King Louis XIV and the number of royal armies grew too King Louis' expansion efforts reached its limit that does not only result in expanding the territory but also doubling the taxes and lowering the value of their currency. Peace of Utrecht is a treaty made to end the Grand Alliance of English, Dutch, Austrians, and Prussians against King Louis XIV

9. 9 Spanish Absolute Rulers Ferdinand and Isabella sponsored Christopher Columbus’ expedition to find a new route to the Indies . American colonies saw tremendous wealth flow into Spain, which supported Spanish ambitions in Europe . Ferdinand’s grandson, Charles II , rose to the Spanish throne in 1516 a month before his 16th birthday.

10. 10 Charles of Spain Martin Luther , known for his controversial pamphlet called The Ninety-Five Theses , denounced as a heretic and enemy of the state. by Charles Ottoman invasion of Europe was underway. After conquering Hungary in 1526, the Ottomans reached Vienna in 1529. The defense of the city was aided by the presence of Spanish troops and the siege ultimately failed . Consequently king Charles was often away due to his interest in waging wars with France The most notable victory occurred at the battle of Pavia in 1525 .

11. 11 Decline of Absolutism in Spain Spanish decline began with the revolt of the Spanish Netherlands. Dutch nobles and officials resented the higher taxes imposed by the Crown. In the latter part of the Absolutism in Spain, several problems occurred. Trade between the colonies fell drastically, slave labor in South America suffered from epidemics, and bankruptcy High rents and exorbitant taxes drove peasants from the land, and agricultural production suffered. Many peasants moved to the cities where they increased the number of beggars on the streets .

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13. What factors led to the idea of absolutism in France ? What are the roles of Ministers in an absolute monarchial government ? Why and how did the French absolutist state arise under Louis XIV, and why did absolutist Spain experience decline in the same period ? Reasons of the fall of Spain’s absolute monarch. In a political standpoint, what are the advantages & disadvantages of Absolute Monarchy ?