European Monarchs (copy)

Rise of Nation States & Absolute Monarchs (1500-1800)

Church's Declining Power

  • Loss of authority due to famine, plague, and religious wars.
  • People turned to national monarchs for order and security.

Shift in Europe

  • Transition from Reformation to the rise of nation-states.
  • New governments reflected the will of the governed.

Absolute Monarchs

  • Monarch: Ruler/head of state, often inherits title, rules for life.
  • Absolutism: King/queen has unlimited power.
    • Aims to control all aspects of society.
    • Differs from medieval kings with nationwide control.

Divine Right of Kings

  • Belief that monarchs are chosen by God.
  • Answerable only to God, not subjects.

Absolutism in Spain - Philip II:

  • Ruled from 1556, inheriting from Charles V.
  • Spain was a superpower due to wealth from colonies.
  • Setbacks:
    • Defeat of the Armada.
    • Protestant revolt in the Netherlands.
  • Successes:
    • Victory at Battle of Lepanto.
    • Controlled Mediterranean Sea.

Absolutism in Russia - Ivan The Terrible:

  • Conquered territory around Moscow.
  • Freed Russia from Mongols.
  • United Russian government, moved toward absolutism.
  • Struggled with Boyars (Russian nobles).
  • Good Years:
    • Expanded land & introduced law code.
    • Limited Boyars power, built St. Basil's.
  • Bad Years:
    • Increased brutality after Anastasia's death.
    • Oprichniki (secret police) to eliminate enemies.

Michael Romanov

  • Elected Czar in 1613 after civil wars, dynasty ruled for 300+ years.
  • Restored order, strengthened government.

Peter the Great

  • One of Russia's greatest reformers.
  • Sole ruler from 1696.
  • Aims:
    • Strengthen and modernize Russia through Westernization.
  • Grand Embassy:
    • Visited Western Europe to learn customs and techniques.
  • Reforms:
    • Brought experts to reform shipbuilding, industry, and military.
    • Reduced power of landowners and controlled Russian Orthodox Church.
    • Modernized army and encouraged European customs.
    • Improved women's status and advanced education.
  • Access to the Sea:
    • Defeated Turks and Sweden.
    • Built St. Petersburg (“Window to the West”).

Absolutism in England

  • The Stuarts: James Stuart became King James I of England.
  • Tension with Parliament due to divine right belief.
  • Charles I:
    • Conflict with Parliament over money.
    • Signed Petition of Rights (1628), but ignored it.
    • Imposed fees and taxes without Parliament's consent.