1500-1700 european powers

Spain in the 1500s

Discovery of the New World seen as a roadblock rather than a resource, limited resources because of spending on deterrence of Muslim invasion

Charles I of Spain

Also known as Charles V of the Holy Romain Empire, united the two countries to form a large and world-spanning empire

Reason for increase in Spanish power from the 1500 to 1600

Cortez and Pizarro conquers the Aztecs and the Incas, conquistadors set up plantations and trade, large amounts of gold and silver increased mercantile power, Phillip II sustained religious unity

The Spanish Armada (1588)

Phillip II tried to convert England to Catholicism; a huge fleet of ships were sent to England but were defeated by the smaller ships firing at them from a distance, large winds, and a storm; the Spanish loss stopped the increasing trajectory of their power

Spain in the mid 1600s to the 1700s

Spain’s power declined due to constant involvement in the Thirty Year’s War and multiple religious revolts. Additionally, their mercantile success no longer applied in a capitalist world.

The War of Roses

After the Hundred Years’ War, Henry VII and Richard III fought over who would rule England. Henry VII won.

England’s power between 1500 and 1550.

England’s power remained mostly stagnant because of Henry VIII’s focused efforts on breaking away from the Catholic church. However, it did increase a little because of the tithes and land reclaimed.

Mary I of England (1547 - 1558)

She tried to convert England back to Catholicism by persecuting Protestants; she married Phillip II because of his dedication to the Catholic faith

Elizabeth I of England (1558 - 1603)

She was a “politiquee” and hardly engaged in religious wars; she defeated the Spanish Armada; she established England as a center of culture because of her lack of restriction on artistic expression

England from 1600 to 1650

The East India Company was established, but the English Civil War worked to deter increase in power. England underwent many transfers in power during this time, as the the Tudor bloodline ended.

James of Scotland

The first king after the ending of the Tudor bloodline; he was not respected by the people

The English Civil War

This was a war between the King and the parliament which influenced the transfers in power between 1600 and 1650

Charles I

The son of James of Scotland; he did not work well with Parliament and was eventually beheaded by Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell

He took over England from Charles I as lord protector

Charles II of England

He was reestablished as the King of England by Parliament and had a good relationship with them

James II of England

He was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland, reigning from 1685 until his deposition in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution.

Order of English Monarchs from 1500 - 1700

Henry VIII —> Edward VI —> Mary I —> Elizabeth I —> James I of Scotland —> Charles I —> Oliver Cromwell —> Charles II —> James II

France in the early 1500s

France was unified after winning the Hundred Years’ War and had a huge army

Huguenots

French protestants who were kept in line by Henry II

Catherine Demidici

After the death off Henry II, she had to puppet her sons and try to keep power

The Wars of Religion

The Huguenots and Catholics fought for power between 1550 and 1600

Henry of Navarre

He was an influential figure who eventually became Catholic so that he could rule France (after the death of both of Henry II’s sons) and allowed the Protestants and Catholics to coexist

the Saint Bartholemew’s Day massacre

All of the Protestants who were at Henry of Navarre’s wedding were murdered on the king’s order

France between 1600 and 1650

During the 30 Years War, France’s power increased, as Cardinal Richelieu (the true French leader) assisted in the lengthening of the war and the weakening of Central Europe. By 1650, Central Germany was a wreck and France was the second most powerful European country.

France between 1650 and 1700

France was completely unified under Louis XIV, who ruled as an absolute monarch and kept the nobility in check

Versailles

This was the palace built by Louis XIV in order to keep the nobility in check. Because they were forced to live there, they worshipped Louis XIV as a god and served his each and every need. The isolation disconnected the nobility from the people and gave the illusion that Louis XIV was perfect, so they never were able to successfully rebel.

The Holy Roman Empire between 1500 and 1550

The Holy Roman Empire was united with Spain under Charles V (who was also Charles I) and was the most powerful empire in the world. However, the Protestant reformation cause issues with religious unity.

The Peace of Augsburg

This was a treaty drawn up which stated that local princes should be able to choose the religion of their region. It kept the peace for quite a while, until the Thirty Years’ War.

The defenestration of Prague

The Holy Roman Empire tried to force the leader of Prague to be Catholic. Ferdinand of Hapsburg sent diplomats, but they were thrown out of a window by the Bohemian nobility.

The 30 Years’ War

This was a religious war between the Protestants and Catholics in Germany which ravaged the population from 1618 to 1648. It weakened both Spain and the Holy Roman Empire immensely.

The Bohemian Stage (of the 30 Years’ War)

The Holy Roman Empire killed most of the German Protestants, forcing Prague to be Catholic.

The Danish Stage (of the 30 Years’ War)

The Danish king tried to stop the efforts of the Holy Roman Empire, but failed and was made Catholic.

The Swedish Phase (of the 30 Years’ War)

Gustavus Adolfus turned Sweden into a world power, and his lifetime allowed for a small period of Protestant victory before the Catholics pushed back against him.

The French/Rishelieu Phase (of the 30 Years’ War)

Cardinal Rishelieu enabled both the Protestants and the Catholics to weaken Germany and prolong the war

The Peace of Westphalia

After the 30 Years’ War, this said that local lords should be able to decide the religion of their region

Peter the Great

He westernized Russia by engaging them in trade and improving their military. He also changed the government such that nobles were given jobs based on merit. However, Peter perpetuated the feudalist system and serfdom increased substantially under his rule.