ABSOLUTISM Political system in which monarchs have complete power and control over a nation. Absolute Monarchs believed in divine right or the idea that God created the monarchy and the monarch acted like Gods representative on earth. Why Absolutism? Mercantilism allows absolute monarchs to gain great wealth at the expense of their subjects. Mercantilism allows absolute monarchs to gain great wealth at the expense of their subjects. Religious and territorial conflicts. Religious and territorial conflicts. Decline of Feudalism Decline of Feudalism Rise of cities Rise of cities SPAIN Phillip II Son of Charles V (HRE) Son of Charles V (HRE) Very religious Very religious Took control of Portugal Took control of Portugal Built the worlds largest army Built the worlds largest army Sent the Armada to attack England Sent the Armada to attack England Empire circled the globe Empire circled the globe Fall of Spanish Empire Inflation Inflation Lost valuable artisans and businessmen Lost valuable artisans and businessmen No tax burden on nobles, only the lower classes No tax burden on nobles, only the lower classes Imported too many goods Imported too many goods Decline of the Dutch Philip raises taxes and crushes Protestantism Philip raises taxes and crushes Protestantism Dutch fight back for 11 years and declared independence from Spain in 1579 Dutch fight back for 11 years and declared independence from Spain in 1579 Dutch Art Dutch East India Company Largest fleet of ships in the world. Largest fleet of ships in the world. Dominated the Asian spice trade and Indian Ocean trade. Dominated the Asian spice trade and Indian Ocean trade. Replace the Italians as bankers of Europe. Replace the Italians as bankers of Europe. France Catholics vs. Huguenots Catholics vs. Huguenots 8 religious wars 8 religious wars Henry IV seizes throne Henry IV seizes throne Converts to Catholicism Converts to Catholicism Edict of Nantes Edict of Nantes Religious toleration of Protestants Religious toleration of Protestants Restores the French monarchy to power Restores the French monarchy to power Cardinal Richelieu Ruler of France (under Louis XIII) Ruler of France (under Louis XIII) Leader of Catholic Church in France Leader of Catholic Church in France Took away Protestant rights Took away Protestant rights Weakened noble power Weakened noble power An influence on Louis XIV throughout his childhood An influence on Louis XIV throughout his childhood Skepticism arises The idea that nothing can be for certain. Lays the foundation for the Scientific Revolution. Louis XIV Sun King Louis XIV Becomes King at 14, does not begin to truly rule until he was 22. Becomes King at 14, does not begin to truly rule until he was 22. Longest reign of any European monarch (72 years) Longest reign of any European monarch (72 years) Age of Louis XIV Age of Louis XIV Government, arts, military, lifestyles, language, and literature. Government, arts, military, lifestyles, language, and literature. Louis strengthens his authority Weakens noble power Weakens noble power Increases the power of intendants Increases the power of intendants Communicates regularly Jean Baptiste Colbert Jean Baptiste Colbert Cancelled the Edict of Nantes Cancelled the Edict of Nantes Palace at Versailles Louis and War Overpowering thirst for glory leads to: Overpowering thirst for glory leads to: 4 conflicts with England, Holland, and most of the German states led by the Austrian Habsburgs. 4 conflicts with England, Holland, and most of the German states led by the Austrian Habsburgs. War of Spanish Succession War of Spanish Succession Charles II dies, no heir Promised throne to Louis grandson Other countries feel threatened Other countries feel threatened Treaty of Utrecht Treaty of Utrecht Two thrones must never join Legacy of French Absolutism Model for Europe of what a strong Absolute nation could be like. Model for Europe of what a strong Absolute nation could be like. Most disciplined and effective officials of any western country. Most disciplined and effective officials of any western country. Versailles was the largest and most impressive secular structure in Europe. Versailles was the largest and most impressive secular structure in Europe. Put France into major debt. Put France into major debt. Parliament Limits the English Monarchy King James I Stuart King James VI of Scotland Stuart King James VI of Scotland Believed in absolutism and the divine right of kings Believed in absolutism and the divine right of kings Sole control over money Sole control over money Struggled over money Struggled over money Parliament wants final input on taxation Parliament wants final input on taxation Refused Puritan Reforms Refused Puritan Reforms (with the exception of the King James Bible) (with the exception of the King James Bible) Charles I Always needs money; dissolved Parliament when they refused Always needs money; dissolved Parliament when they refused Petition of Right Petition of Right No false imprisonment No taxation w/o permission No quartering soldiers No martial law during peacetime English Civil War English Civil War Royalists/Cavaliers vs. Puritans Oliver Cromwell 1649 Charles I is beheaded 1649 Charles I is beheaded Oliver Cromwell Establishes a commonwealth Establishes a commonwealth Alienates Parliament Alienates Parliament Becomes a military dictator Becomes a military dictator Puritan Reforms Puritan Reforms No dancing, drinking, making merry on Sabbath, and theatrical performances No dancing, drinking, making merry on Sabbath, and theatrical performances High taxation for military expeditions High taxation for military expeditions Charles II The Restoration Begins Exercised absolute power w/ compromise Exercised absolute power w/ compromise Habeas corpus to have the body Habeas corpus to have the body Set the tone for the modern British Cabinet Set the tone for the modern British Cabinet Made a pact w/ Louis XIV to return England to Catholicism Made a pact w/ Louis XIV to return England to Catholicism James II A practicing Catholic while exiled in France A practicing Catholic while exiled in France Appointed several Catholic officials Appointed several Catholic officials Young second wife gives birth to son Young second wife gives birth to son Parliament invites Will and Mary from the Netherlands to overthrow James Parliament invites Will and Mary from the Netherlands to overthrow James Glorious Revolution Glorious Revolution James flees to France James flees to France Mary and William of Orange Sovereignty shifts from monarch to Parliament Sovereignty shifts from monarch to Parliament Fairly good relationship Fairly good relationship English Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights No law can be suspended No taxes w/o permission No interfering w/ freedom of speech No penalty for citizens who petition the king Cabinet is formed as a liaison. Cabinet is formed as a liaison.