crisis and absolutism in europe 1550-1715. monarchy a system of governing through heredity...
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Crisis and Crisis and Absolutism in Absolutism in
EuropeEurope1550-17151550-1715
Monarchy
A system of governing through heredity leadership, headed by a king/queen or both.
Absolutism
What is Absolutism?
Absolutism is a system in which a ruler holds total power.
Tied to the idea of the divine right of kings– Rulers received their power from God
and were only to answer to God
Scope of Power for Absolutists
Rulers could:1. Make laws2. Levy taxes3. Administer justice4. Control officials5. Determine foreign policy
Europe’s Monarchies
Machiavelli’s Perfect Prince?
Machiavelli believed that a ruler must be stern, and feared over loved.
Rulers must always act in the best interest of the nation, not only morally.
Rulers must not fear becoming unpopular if the actions are justified.
Extending Spanish Power
Section 1
Charles V & the Hapsburgs
Spain was the first modern European nation
1519, Charles V became king of Spain & Hapsburg Empire (Germany & Netherlands)
Charles V’s Rule
Faced many difficulties in ruling 2 empires at the same time
Retired as king in 1556, Divided the empire into separate kingdoms with different rulers
Philip II
Ruled Spain for 42 years, Devoted to running the government Made himself and ABSOLUTE
monarch– He had total and complete control over
all aspects of running the nation
Philip II & Divine Right He believed he ruled by DIVINE
RIGHT God gave him the authority to be king
Focused on Religion:– Used the Inquisition to ensure
Protestants were punished and Catholicism was enforced
– Known as “most Catholic king” EVER
The Wars of Philip II
Fighting in the Netherlands over Protestant vs Catholic faiths
Attempted to invade England to punish Elizabeth I for problems caused in the Americas
Philip II’s Invasion of England
Philip II sent the powerful Spanish Armada (fleet of ships) to attack
A combination of weather and better English ships caused the Spanish fleet to be mostly destroyed
Philip II’s Problems and Legacy
Philip spent Spain’s treasury on colonial expansion, his palaces, spreading Catholicism but NOT on military.
Spanish power around the world began to lessen as a result.
Spain’s Golden Age
1550-1650 is called the Golden Age because of the support of art & literature– Painters: El Greco, Diego Velazquez– Writers: Miguel de Cervantes (Don
Quixote)
Spain’s Economic Decline
No strong leaders after Philip II Wars were expensive Taxes and inflation were high Skilled Jewish and Muslim artisans
were forced out of Spain
The Kingdom of France
Section 2
French wars of religion
The Valois Family:The Beginning of the End
The Valois Family:The Beginning of the End
Henri II was the last powerful Valois
Three weak sons followed: Francis II Charles IX Henri III
A Mothers Role?
Catherine de Medici controlled the sons:– Was mother to the boys– Played both sides in the civil war– Developed a reputation for cruelty
Catherine de MediciCatherine de Medici
The French Civil WarThe French Civil War There were two sides:
Guise family led Catholics in North Bourbon family led Huguenots in South Fighting for the royal inheritance
Catherine supported the Guises in the first phase.
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre– August 24, 1572– 20,000 Huguenots were killed– Henri of Navarre, a Bourbon, survived
The French Civil WarThe French Civil War Catherine started supporting the Bourbons
(Catholic League).
Henri of Navarre defeated Catholic League & becomes Henry IV of France.
CatholicLeagueCatholicLeague
ProtestantUnion
ProtestantUnion
CIVILWAR
Effects of Civil War:
1. France was left divided by religion2. Royal power had weakened3. Valois family now replaced by
Bourbons
Religious tensions caused much violence
Henry IV attempted to please Protestants (Huguenots) and Catholics Henry IV was a Huguenot
but converted to Catholicism to appease majority
Issued the Edict of Nantes protected Protestant communities
Henry IV Rebuilds FranceHenry IV Rebuilds France
Henry IV’s Government Changes
Improved justice system Building projects roads, bridges,
etc. Reduced involvement of nobles in
government– Henry IV is assassinated
Louis XIII
Takes the thrown just before his 9th birthday, son of Henry IV
His mother Marie mismanaged the empire on his behalf causing him to take over as a child.
Cardinal Richelieu
Unofficially ran the French government from 1624-1642 for Louis XIII
Suppressed power of Huguenots and nobles by destroying their armies and castles
Gave nobles official positions to keep them loyal to the king
Louis XIV, The Sun King
Became king at age 5 (son of Louis XIII who took throne when his father died in 1643)
Used the sun as a symbol of his absolute power
Louis was supposed to appoint a regent to rule, but shocked everyone and rule alone.
Louis XIV’s Ruling Strategy
Louis XIV used the middle class to give important jobs (so they stayed loyal)– Collected taxes, built the army, etc.– French army became strongest in
Europe
Louis XIV & Estates General
Estates General (French Parliament)– Never met and did not have a role in
government– This makes the Estates General useless,
just for show
French Economy
Increased farmland and mining industries
Encouraged trade of luxury items Taxed imported goods to take care of
French craftsmen Emphasis on trade with colonies
overseas
Result?
France became the richest European country
Louis XIV often needed more money to pay for extravagant lifestyle.
Versailles Palace
Massive Versailles palace was a symbol of Louis’s power and riches
L’ouis XIVL’ouis XIV
Versailles StatisticsVersailles Statistics
f
2,000 acres of grounds 12 miles of roads 27 miles of trellises 200,000 trees 210,000 flowers planted
every year 80 miles of rows of trees 55 acres surface area of the
Grand Canal 12 miles of enclosing walls 50 fountains and 620
fountain nozzles 21 miles of water conduits
3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed
26 acres of roof 51,210 square meters of floors 2,153 windows 700 rooms 67 staircases 6,000 paintings 1,500 drawings and 15,000
engravings 2,100 sculptures 5,000 items of furniture and
objects d'art 150 varieties of apple and
peach trees in the Vegetable Garden
Louis XIII’s Old Chateau
Louis XIII’s Old Chateau
Versailles TodayVersailles Today
Palais de VersaillesPalais de Versailles
Palais de VersaillesPalais de Versailles
Versailles Palace,Park Side
Versailles Palace,Park Side
Garden View of Versailles
Garden View of Versailles
Chateau de Versailles
Chateau de Versailles
Chateau de Versailles Gardens
Chateau de Versailles Gardens
The OrangeryThe Orangery
Hall of
Mirrors
Hall of
Mirrors
The Queen’s
Bed
The Queen’s
Bed
The King’s Bed
The King’s Bed
Louis XIV’s Chapel
Louis XIV’s Chapel
Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece
Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece
Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel
Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel
Louis XIV’s Opera Stage
Louis XIV’s Opera Stage
Cabinet with Views of Versailles, 19c
Cabinet with Views of Versailles, 19c
Louis XIV FurnitureLouis XIV Furniture
Louis’s Power
High ranking nobles were given prestigious jobs serving the king at Versailles
This kept the nobles under the king’s watch and limited any threat of them gaining power
Arts were encourage (plays, art, music, dance, etc.)
Louis’s Reign
Ruled as king for 72 years Monarchy defined by grossly
overspending on court life
French Failures
Costly wars led other European countries to create alliances against France
Religious persecution against Protestant Huguenots—also hurt the economy as they were a majority of the middle class who paid taxes
French social class structure
1st
Estate
2nd Estate
3rd Estate
The
Thirty Years
War (1618-1648)
The
Thirty Years
War (1618-1648)
1618-16481618-1648
The Holy Roman Empire was the battleground.
At the beginning it was the Catholics vs. the Protestants.
At the end it was HabsburgHabsburg power that was threatened.
Resolved by the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.
Characteristics of the Thirty Years War
Characteristics of the Thirty Years War
Political Provisions: Each German prince became free from any
kind of control by the Holy Roman Emperor.
The United Provinces [Dutch Neths.] became officially independent southern part remained a Spanish possession.
France received most of the German-speaking province of Alsace *This will cause problems later!
The Peace of Westphalia (1648)The Peace of Westphalia (1648)
Provisions Continued– Sweden got lands in No. Ger. on the
Baltic & Black Sea coasts; won a voice in the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire; Brandenburg got important territories on North Sea & in central Germany.
– Switzerland became totally independent of the Holy Roman Emperor Swiss Confederation.
Religious Provisions: Calvinists would have the same
privileges as the Lutherans had in the Peace of Augsburg.
The ruler of each state could determine its official religion, BUT [except in the hereditary lands of the Habsburgs], he must permit freedom of private worship.
The Peace of Westphalia (1648)The Peace of Westphalia (1648)
1688-1700
Many Protestants felt betrayed.
The pope denounced it.
Only merit it ended the fighting in a war that became intolerable!
For the next few centuries, this war was blamed for everything that went wrong in Central Europe.
Nobody Was Happy!Nobody Was Happy!
Triumph of Parliament in England
Queen Elizabeth I
Takes reigns in 1558 after death of Mary (Bloody Mary)
Dubbed “The Virgin Queen” because she refused to marry
Problems Elizabeth Inherited
The country was at war with France, drain on the royal treasury
Tension between Protestants & Catholics- Act of Supremacy & Act of Uniformity settled this
Famous for avoiding war by stirring trouble with enemies
Challenges to Power
She thwarted an invasion attempt by King Philip II of Spain’s armada
She eliminated a challenge to her power by her cousin Mary Queen of Scots – executed her
Problems in the Kingdom
country suffered from failed crops, unemployment and inflation.
riots over food shortages and rebellions in Ireland.
One of her suitors betrayed her by leading a rebellion
The End of the Tudors
Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603 Her death marked the end of the
Tudor monarchy in England Son of her biggest rival, Mary
Stuart’s ascended to the throne as James I.
James I [r. 1603-1625]
Wanted absolute power.
He quickly alienated a Parliament grown accustomed under the Tudors to act on the premise that monarch and Parliament TOGETHER ruled England as a “balance polity.”
James I [r. 1603-1625] He alienated the Puritans by his
strong defense of the Anglican Church.
Many of England’s gentry [mostly rich landowners below the level of the nobility] became Puritans.
These Puritan gentry formed an important and large part of the House of Commons.
It was NOT WISE to alienate them!
James I [r. 1603-1625]
Problems he faced:
1. Large royal debt.
2. He wasn’t English he didn’t understand English customs [esp. English law!]
3. Believed in Divine Right of Kings.
4. Pro-Catholic sympathies.
5. Clashed with Parliament
He raised money without Parliament’s consent!
Gunpowder Plot, 1605
An attempt by some provincial Catholics to kill King James I and most of the Protestant aristocracy.
Blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.
Failed!Guy Fawkes
Charles I [r. 1625-1649]
2nd son of James I
Pro-ceremonies and rituals.
Uniformity of church services imposed by a church court.
Anglican Book of Common Prayer for both England AND Scotland.
Seen as too pro-Catholic by the Puritans.
Charles I & Parliament Constantly at war with Spain and France.
Always need £, but how to get it??
Usually Parliament would give Charles £ from taxes to fund his wars.
Periodically, Parliament would deny funds.
In return, Charles would dissolve Parliament and try to rule England without it find funds in other ways.
Forced “loans,” selling aristocratic titles, etc.
Ship Money Assessments, 1636[per square mile]
A medieval tax for coastal cities for defense.
Charles applied them to inland counties as well.
This got him around the need to call Parliament into session.
The Petition of Rights, 1628 In return for money to fund his wars, Charles I agreed:
No imprisonment without due cause.
No taxation without Parliament’s consent.
No putting soldiers in private homes.
No martial law during peacetime.
Charles signed it, and then ignored it, dissolving Parliament!
Sound familiar at
all?
The Civil War
(1642-1649)
The Civil War
(1642-1649)
Civil War (1642-1649)
Royalists(Cavaliers)Royalists
(Cavaliers)Parliamentarians
(Roundheads)Parliamentarians
(Roundheads)
House of Lords
N & W England
Aristocracy
Large landowners
Church officials
More rural
House of Commons
S & E England
Puritans
Merchants
Townspeople
More urban
Oliver Cromwell [1599-1658]† Officer of the Parliamentary army [cavalry] the
New Model Army.
† Led the army that defeated royal forces and now controlled the government.
The Battle of Naseby [re-
enactment], 1645a Charles I is
defeated at Marston Moor, Naseby, and Preston.
a He is handed over to Parliament.
Pride’s Purge, 1648Pride’s Purge, 1648
Cromwell purges the House of Commons of Cromwell purges the House of Commons of moderates [anyone who isn’t anti-moderates [anyone who isn’t anti-monarchy].monarchy].
The results is the “Rump” Parliament.The results is the “Rump” Parliament.
Regicide Regicide Beheading of Beheading of Charles I, 1649Charles I, 1649
The vote by the The vote by the Rump Rump Parliament was Parliament was 68-67.68-67.
The Puritan Commonwealth The Puritan Commonwealth [1649-1653][1649-1653]
Cromwell rules with the Rump Parliament.Cromwell rules with the Rump Parliament. Constitutional RepublicConstitutional Republic Created a constitution Created a constitution Instrument of Instrument of
GovernmentGovernment No monarch.No monarch. Europe is appalled Europe is appalled other nations don’t other nations don’t
recognize it.recognize it. Cromwell Dissolves the “Rump” Parliament in Cromwell Dissolves the “Rump” Parliament in
16531653
The Protectorate [1653-1660]The Protectorate [1653-1660] Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution.Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution. Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with
the support of the military.the support of the military. Declares martial law; Military dictator.Declares martial law; Military dictator. Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews],
except for Catholics.except for Catholics. Crushes a rebellion in Scotland.Crushes a rebellion in Scotland. Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of
Ireland Ireland kills 40% of all ethnic Irish! kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!
The Protectorate [1653-1660]The Protectorate [1653-1660] Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution.Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution. Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with
the support of the military.the support of the military. Declares martial law; Military dictator.Declares martial law; Military dictator. Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews],
except for Catholics.except for Catholics. Crushes a rebellion in Scotland.Crushes a rebellion in Scotland. Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of
Ireland Ireland kills 40% of all ethnic Irish! kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!
The R estoration
(1660-1688)Parliament could no more exist without the Crown than the Crown without Parliament. This was the
most important lesson of the English Civil War!
King Charles II [r. 1660-1685King Charles II [r. 1660-1685 Had charm, poise, & political Had charm, poise, & political
skills [unlike his father!].skills [unlike his father!]. Restored the theaters and Restored the theaters and
reopened the pubs and brothels reopened the pubs and brothels closed during the Restoration.closed during the Restoration.
Favored religious toleration.Favored religious toleration. Had secret Catholic sympathies.Had secret Catholic sympathies. Realized that he could not Realized that he could not
repeat the mistakes his father repeat the mistakes his father had made.had made.
King Charles II [r. 1660-1685King Charles II [r. 1660-1685
1661 1661 “Cavalier” Parliament [filled with “Cavalier” Parliament [filled with Royalists]Royalists]
Disbanded the Puritan army.Disbanded the Puritan army. Pardoned most Puritan rebels.Pardoned most Puritan rebels. Restored the authority of the Church of Restored the authority of the Church of
England.England.
King Charles II [r. 1660-1685King Charles II [r. 1660-1685
1662 1662 Clarendon Code [Act of Uniformity] Clarendon Code [Act of Uniformity] All clergy & church officials had to conform to All clergy & church officials had to conform to
the Anglican the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.Book of Common Prayer. It forbade “non-conformists” to worship publicly, It forbade “non-conformists” to worship publicly,
teach their faith, or attend English universities.teach their faith, or attend English universities.
King Charles II [r. 1660-1685King Charles II [r. 1660-1685
1673 1673 Test Act Test Act Parliament excluded all but Anglicans from Parliament excluded all but Anglicans from
civilian and military positions.civilian and military positions.[to the Anglican gentry, the Puritans were [to the Anglican gentry, the Puritans were considered “radicals” and the Catholics were considered “radicals” and the Catholics were seen as “traitors!”]seen as “traitors!”]
King Charles II [r. 1660-1685King Charles II [r. 1660-1685
1679 1679 Habeas Corpus Act Habeas Corpus Act Any unjustly imprisoned persons could obtain a Any unjustly imprisoned persons could obtain a
writ of writ of habeas corpushabeas corpus compelling the govt. to compelling the govt. to explain why he had lost his liberty.explain why he had lost his liberty.
King James II [r. 1685-1688]King James II [r. 1685-1688]
Was a bigoted convert to Catholicism without any of Was a bigoted convert to Catholicism without any of Charles II’s shrewdness or ability to compromise.Charles II’s shrewdness or ability to compromise.
Alienated even the Tories.Alienated even the Tories. Provoked the revolution thatProvoked the revolution that
Charles II had succeeded in avoiding!Charles II had succeeded in avoiding!
King James II [r. 1685-1688]King James II [r. 1685-1688] Introduced Catholics into theIntroduced Catholics into the
High Command of both theHigh Command of both thearmy and navy.army and navy.
Camped a standing army a fewCamped a standing army a fewmiles outside of London.miles outside of London.
Surrounded himself with Surrounded himself with Catholic advisors & attackedCatholic advisors & attackedAnglican control of theAnglican control of theuniversities.universities.
King James II [r. 1685-1688]King James II [r. 1685-1688]
Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Acts of Parliament.Acts of Parliament.
1687 1687 Declaration of Liberty of Conscience Declaration of Liberty of Conscience He extended religious toleration without He extended religious toleration without
Parliament’s approval or support.Parliament’s approval or support.
King James II [r. 1685-1688]King James II [r. 1685-1688]
Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Claimed the power to suspend or dispense with Acts of Parliament.Acts of Parliament.
1687 1687 Declaration of Liberty of Conscience Declaration of Liberty of Conscience He extended religious toleration without He extended religious toleration without
Parliament’s approval or support.Parliament’s approval or support.
The Glorious
R evolution
1688
The “Glorious” Revolution: The “Glorious” Revolution: 1688]1688]
Whig & Tory leaders offered the throne jointly to Whig & Tory leaders offered the throne jointly to James II’s daughter Mary [raised a Protestant] & her James II’s daughter Mary [raised a Protestant] & her husband, William of Orange.husband, William of Orange.
He was a vigorous enemy of Louis XIV.He was a vigorous enemy of Louis XIV. He was seen as a champion of the Protestant cause.He was seen as a champion of the Protestant cause.
English Bill of Rights [1689]English Bill of Rights [1689]
It settled all of the major issues between King & It settled all of the major issues between King & Parliament.Parliament.
It served as a model for the U. S. Bill of Rights.It served as a model for the U. S. Bill of Rights. It also formed a base for the steady expansion of It also formed a base for the steady expansion of
civil liberties in the 18civil liberties in the 18cc and early 19 and early 19cc in England. in England.
English Bill of Rights [1689]English Bill of Rights [1689]Main provisionsMain provisions::
1.1. The King could not suspend the operation of laws.The King could not suspend the operation of laws.
2.2. The King could not interfere with justice.The King could not interfere with justice.
3.3. No taxes or army maintained in peacetime without Parliament’s No taxes or army maintained in peacetime without Parliament’s consent.consent.
4.4. Freedom of speech in Parliament.Freedom of speech in Parliament.
5.5. Sessions of Parliament would be held frequently.Sessions of Parliament would be held frequently.
English Bill of Rights [1689]English Bill of Rights [1689]Main provisions( Continued)Main provisions( Continued)::
6.6. Subjects had the right of bail, petition, and freedom from Subjects had the right of bail, petition, and freedom from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
7.7. The monarch must be a Protestant.The monarch must be a Protestant.
8.8. Freedom from arbitrary arrest.Freedom from arbitrary arrest.
9.9. Censorship of the press was dropped.Censorship of the press was dropped.
10.10.Religious toleration.Religious toleration.
Rise of Austria & Rise of Austria & PrussiaPrussia
Hapsburg AustriaHapsburg Austria
Expanded Hapsburg Empire from Austria to Expanded Hapsburg Empire from Austria to include Bohemia, Hungary, Poland & Northern include Bohemia, Hungary, Poland & Northern ItalyItaly
Empire was diverse– many cultures, languages, Empire was diverse– many cultures, languages, laws were different to unite, official laws were different to unite, official religion=Catholicreligion=Catholic
Maria TheresaMaria Theresa Ruled the Empire despite difficulty in getting Ruled the Empire despite difficulty in getting
people to recognize that she was the ruler people to recognize that she was the ruler (because she was a woman)(because she was a woman)
Made government more efficient, lowered taxes Made government more efficient, lowered taxes for the poor, had support of the common peoplefor the poor, had support of the common people
Problems in AustriaProblems in Austria Never became highly centralized or absolutistNever became highly centralized or absolutist Too large of an empireToo large of an empire Ruler had a different title depending on where Ruler had a different title depending on where
he washe was No common patriotism to link the empireNo common patriotism to link the empire Each area had its own laws and political lifeEach area had its own laws and political life
The Rise of PrussiaThe Rise of Prussia
Emerges as a Protestant power in 1600s in Emerges as a Protestant power in 1600s in northern Germanynorthern Germany
Strong Central government and very well trained Strong Central government and very well trained militarymilitary
Under Frederick the Great, Prussia added new lands Under Frederick the Great, Prussia added new lands from Austriafrom Austria
Frederick William the Great Frederick William the Great ElectorElector
Ruling Strategies:Ruling Strategies: Maintained the 4Maintained the 4thth largest standing army in largest standing army in
Europe (40,000 men)Europe (40,000 men) General War Commissariat raised taxes to fund General War Commissariat raised taxes to fund
army and oversee expansionarmy and oversee expansion Junkers (aristocracy) ran the bureaucracyJunkers (aristocracy) ran the bureaucracy
Absolute Monarchy in Absolute Monarchy in RussiaRussia
Peter the GreatPeter the Great
Russia czar /tsar (emperor) from 1689-1725Russia czar /tsar (emperor) from 1689-1725 Interested in the advanced nations in Western Interested in the advanced nations in Western
Europe:Europe:– Began Russian policy of Westernization—adopting Began Russian policy of Westernization—adopting
western ideas, technology, and culture.western ideas, technology, and culture.– Not all Russians accepted this change, Peter had to Not all Russians accepted this change, Peter had to
force reformsforce reforms
Peter the AutocratPeter the Autocrat
Sought control of all aspects of Russia under his own Sought control of all aspects of Russia under his own control (military, church, government)control (military, church, government)
Forced landowning nobles (boyars) to serve in Forced landowning nobles (boyars) to serve in government or military jobsgovernment or military jobs
Forced serfdom –peasants (called serfs) tied to land Forced serfdom –peasants (called serfs) tied to land belonging to nobles could never leave landbelonging to nobles could never leave land
Forced nobles to dress in Western stylesForced nobles to dress in Western styles Brutally punished those who resistedBrutally punished those who resisted
Peter the ReformerPeter the Reformer
Imported western technologyImported western technology Improved education system by establishing Improved education system by establishing
schoolsschools Improved waterways/canals, manufacturing and Improved waterways/canals, manufacturing and
tradetrade Ended separation of men and women by Ended separation of men and women by
encouraging fancy partiesencouraging fancy parties
Expansion Under PeterExpansion Under Peter
Created the largest army in EuropeCreated the largest army in Europe Wanted a warm-water port to have access to Wanted a warm-water port to have access to
waterways/trade in the winterwaterways/trade in the winter Defeated Sweden in 1709, gained new landsDefeated Sweden in 1709, gained new lands Built city of St. Petersburg– modern, European city Built city of St. Petersburg– modern, European city
built by serfsbuilt by serfs Expanded across Siberia all the way to the Pacific Expanded across Siberia all the way to the Pacific
Ocean—became largest country in the world.Ocean—became largest country in the world.
Peter’s LegacyPeter’s Legacy
Russia is now more involved in European Russia is now more involved in European mattersmatters
Expanded land, built strong armyExpanded land, built strong army Used terror to rule, increase gap between rich Used terror to rule, increase gap between rich
and poorand poor
Catherine the GreatCatherine the Great
Ruled from 1762-1796Ruled from 1762-1796 Capable leader:Capable leader:
– Reorganized government to make more efficientReorganized government to make more efficient– Rewrote Russian law codeRewrote Russian law code– Provided education to all childrenProvided education to all children– Encouraged Western IdeasEncouraged Western Ideas Allowed nobles to govern serfs harshly, suppressed peasant Allowed nobles to govern serfs harshly, suppressed peasant
revoltsrevolts Expanded the size of RussiaExpanded the size of Russia
Looking AheadLooking Ahead
Four of Europe’s five leading powers were ruled Four of Europe’s five leading powers were ruled by absolute monarchs by the mid-1700sby absolute monarchs by the mid-1700s Spain, France, Austria, Russia (NOT England)Spain, France, Austria, Russia (NOT England)
Often fought each other for powerOften fought each other for power New ideas will soon change the ways of New ideas will soon change the ways of
thinking across Europethinking across Europe