Age of Absolutism -- Spain & France

Henry IV

French King, first of the Bourbon dynasty, orginally a Huguenot but converted to Catholicism, issued the Edict of Nantes, murdered by Francois Ravalliac

Edict of Nantes 1598

Document issued by Henry IV ending the religious wars in France and promoting religious toleration.

Louis XIII

Became king at age of 8, was in poor health, governed with the assistance of Cardinal Richelieu

Thirty Years War

A series of wars that swept Europe between the Protestants and the Catholics. It was especially bloody in the Holy Roman Empire.

Louis XIV

Child King of France, became king at age 4, best known for the Palace of Versailles, greatly weakened the French nobility, believed he was chosen by God to be France's divine monarch, identified himself with the Sun

Cardinal Mazarin

Ruled for Louis XIV because he was too young to rule. when he died, Louis XIV did not replace him with another advisor

Louis XIV's nickname

"The Sun King". Louis XIV was the most famous and powerful of all absolute monarchs, his centralization of power was the metaphorical equivalent of the sun being at the center of the solar system.

Palace of Versailles

Lavish palace constructed by Louis XIV to reflect his power and might

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that one is chosen by God to rule

How did Absolute Monarchs control the economy of their empire?

they promoted trade and commerce, encouraged territorial expansion. Raw materials from these territories were manufactured and sold back to the colonies.

Tariff

A tax on goods imported into a country, also known as a duty.

European Balance of Power

The agreement in Europe that no one country should have greater power than any other. Was a response to Louis XIV's desire to expand the French border to the Rhine River in Germany

War of Spanish Succession

Fought over who would become the King of Spain. Louis XIV's grandson, Phillip V, was the heir to the Spanish throne. Other European nations felt that this would too drastically shift the balance of power in France's favor. Decision was to allow Phillip V to be Spain's king, but he could not enter into any alliances with France

Phillip II

Spanish king and rival to Queen Elizabeth. Wanted to place Mary Stuart on the throne of England to restore England to the Catholic Church. Would send his armada to attack the British navy and invade England - Failed

Absolutism

A political system in which a ruler, a King or a Queen, holds total power

Centralization of power

all power rests in one place or under a single authority

Spanish Armada

The great fleet sent from Spain against England by Philip II in 1588; defeated by the terrible winds and fire ships.

limited monarchy

a monarchy that is limited by laws and a constitution

Constitutional Monarchy

A King or Queen is the official head of state but power is limited by a constitution.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

An economic advisor to Louis XIV; he supported mercantilism and tried to make France economically self-sufficient. Brought prosperity to France.

Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642)

Minister to Louis XIII. His three point plan helped to send France on the road to absolute monarchy.:

1. Break the power of the nobility

2. Humble the House of Austria

3. Control the Protestants

Hapsburg Empire

Central European empire that in the 1500s included the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands

Bourbons

A European Royal family that is most known for its rule of France from the 16th through the 18th centuries.

Huguenots

French Protestants

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Mass slaying of Huguenots (Calvinists) in Paris, on Saint Bartholomew's Day, 1572.