Absolute Monarchy Western Civ 9H test

Charles V

• Ruled a vast empire as King of Spain and Hapsburg Empire, including the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands.

• Fought major religious and political conflicts to stop the spread of Protestantism. Also battled France and the Ottomans.

• Resigned and divided his empire since it was too large to govern, giving Spain to Phillip II.

Phillip II

• Saw himself as the guardian of the Roman Catholic Church and defended Catholicism through religious unity and the Inquisition.

• Ruled as an absolute monarch that believed his power came from divine right.

• Fought expensive wars that drained Spain’s wealth and helped cause Spain’s economic decline. Ex. Spanish Armada and Battle of Lepanto.

Spanish Armada

• Large fleet of ships sent by Phillip II to invade England and restore Catholic rule.

• England defeated the Armada.

• Weakened Spain’s long-term power.

Absolute Monarchy

• King has complete and unrestricted power.

• Controls military, laws, religion, and economy.

• Not limited by a constitution or parliament.

Louis XIV

• Absolute monarch of France who believed in Divine right.

• Controlled nobles by keeping them at the Palace of Versailles.

• Strengthened royalty through mercantilism.

• Revoked Edict of Nantes so he could strengthen religious unity and control

• Heavy spending and unequal taxation -→ debt and long-term tensions.

Thirty Years War- Causes

• Catholic vs Protestant religious tensions after Reformation.

• Power struggle: Habsburg emperor vs German Princes over independence and control.

• International rivalries turned into a European war after the Defenestration of Prague.

Thirty Years War- Effect

• Destruction in German lands, population loss, famine, economic collapse.

• Peace of Westphalia → weaker emperor, stronger states.

• Shift in European power: France grew, Spain declined, focus on national interests over religion.

Maria Theresa

• Inherited Habsburg lands through Pragmatic Sanction after Charles VI

• Reformed army and taxation to strengthen Austria.

• Expanded bureaucracy and central government.

Frederick the Great

• King of Prussia who invaded Silesia, starting the War of the Austrian Succession.

• Expanded Prussian power by taking wealth territory from Austria.

• Challenged Habsburg dominance and shifted the balance of power in Europe.

Peter the Great

• Ruler of Russia who westernized the country to compete with European powers.

• His Great Embassy strengthened military, built a navy, and expanded industry and government control.

• Increased state power through heavy taxes and forced labor.

• Table of Ranks: Tied status to state service instead of only birth.

How’d the Scientific Revolution lead to the Enlightenment?

• Scientists discover natural laws that govern the universe → thinkers look for laws governing society and politics.

• Reason and observation in science was applied to human behavior and government.

• Progress in science made philosophers optimistic about improving society

Petition of Right

• A Document that limited King Charles power.

• No taxing without parliament

• No imprisoning people unfairly.

• No forcing citizens to house soldiers.

English Bill of Rights

• Limited the King’s power and protected citizens.

• Free elections.

• Free speech in Parliament.

• Right to petition.

• Protection from cruel or excessive punishment.

What type of government did Jacques-Beninge Bossuet support?

• Supported an absolute monarchy

• Kings should rule by divine right

How did Frederick the Great increase his power?

• Invaded Silesia, a wealthy Austrian province.

• Expanded Prussian territory, resources, and military strength.

• Centralized the government and bureaucracy.

Positive of Napoleonic Code?

• Gave equality before the law.

• Protected property.

• Ended privileges based on birth.

Negative of Napoleonic Code?

• Limited women’s rights.

• Couldn’t own property.

• Couldn’t start a business.

• Couldn’t earn wages.

• Couldn’t get divorced easily.

Reason for Napoleon’s fall?

• Failed invasion of Russia →destroyed French military power.

• Defeated by European coalition at Leipzig and Waterloo.

• Was exiled twice, second time where he died.

Two positive reforms of Napoleon besides his code?

• Education: Created lycées, math and engineering schools, and paid teachers.

• Allowed for social class rising.

• Standardized currency → supported business and public works.

Policies of Louis XIV to strengthen power of his monarchy?

• Palace of Versailles: Stopped nobles from gaining independent local power.

• Intendant system: Weakened noble power in territories.

• Strengthened Royal power through mercantilism.

• Revoked Edict of Nantes → Strengthen religious unity and control

Political causes of the French Revolution?

• Third Estate had no real power and couldn’t hold high offices.

• First (clergy) and second(nobles) estates controlled society.

Economic causes of French Revolution?

• France was in debt from wars and royal spending.

• Peasants face high taxes, feudal dues, high food prices, and droughts.

Social Causes of French Revolution?

• Huge inequality, the third estate made up 98% of the population.

• Only had few rights and suffered unfair laws.

• Ideas about freedom spread. “Man is born free”

Reign of Terror?

• Period when revolutionary government used extreme measures to eliminate enemies.

• Protection from internal enemies, counter-revolutionists, and executed thousands.

• Led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety.

Adam Smith economic theory?

• Free market based on supply and demand.

• Minimal government interference (laissez-faire).

• Individuals’ self-interest would better the economy.

Phillip II’s action for Catholic Church?

• Battles to suppress Protestantism and Muslim. (Battle of Lepanto)

• Spanish Armada to invade England and restore Catholic rule.

• Supported inquisition, used marriage alliances, and built churches.

Decline of Spanish Empire?

• Efforts to enforce Catholicism (Dutch Revolt) → drained resources and caused rebellion.

• Military failures: Defeat of Spanish Armada → weakened Spain’s power/influence.

• Economic decline from constant wars.

Steps of Peter the Great?

• Great Embassy → study Western European methods.

• Westernized the army, navy, and manufacturing.

• Enforced Western clothing, manners, and education.

• St. Petersburg → Connected Europe to Russia.

Was the English Revolution Glorious?

Partly,

• Largely bloodless

• Violence happened in Ireland and Scotland.

• Some English people experienced destruction and threats.

• Established Parliamentary authority, limited Royal authority.

Reforms of the Absolute Monarch Maria Theresa?

• Strengthened army → Better training, organization, and funding.

• Reformed taxes so nobles paid → More Revenue.

• Expanded bureaucracy → Centralized government.

Divine Right Theory?

• King’s authority comes from God.

• Justified absolute monarchy.

• Gave king unchecked power.

• Against king = Against God.

Thomas Hobbes

• People should give up some freedoms to a strong government

• Social contract for protection.

• Supported absolute monarchy.

John Locke

• People are born natural rights: Life, Liberty, Property.

• Influenced ideas behind Glorious Revolution and English Bill of Rights.

• Supported constitutional government.

Spanish Armada

• Spanish fleet sent by Phillip II to invade Protestant England.

• Wanted to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and restore Catholic rule in England.

• Defeat weakened Spain’s power and strengthened England’s navy.