Unit 1 Absolutism

Topic 4: Absolute monarchies

Absolute monarchies: Monarchies that were sovereign to a great extent and were above the state

• Divine right of kings: a justification for absolutism and said that god granted kings the right to rule

• Aspects of Absolute monarchies: Undermined aristocracy, religion, peasants, have a standing army

France

• French Absolutism: Goal of stabilizing and strengthening France but needed a absolute monarch

• Louis XIV: Absolute monarch of France

  • Fronde Rebellion cause:

  • Used Intendants to run the country and manage taxes.

  • Creation of Noble of robes to offset the old nobilities Noble of sword that threatened the king’s power

  • Fronde Rebellion: Revolts of peasants and aristocracy that didn’t want to pay taxes and were put down

  • Revoke Edict of Nantes: No more religious toleration for Huguenots and Catholic as main religion.

  • Jean-Baptise Colbert: Finance minister of Louis XIV that used mercantilist policies to strengthen state economy but were undone by his wars

HRE

• Charles V: King of HRE

  • Busy fighting France. Schmalkalden league and Catholic states fighting got to him

  • Peace of Augsburg: temporary solution to religious quarrels that allowed German states to select their religion

Russia

• Peter the Great: focused on strengthening, westernizing Russia, Baltics

  • Great Embassy: A trip to Europe incognito to explore new technologies and culture

    • Westernized Russia

    • Brought back foreigners and other cultures to Russia

    • Dress code for nobles (Boyars)

    • Architecture, art, and education shifted

  • Table of Ranks: Nobles to work harder and grind for status

  • Great Northern War: Fought Swedish off of the Baltics and established St. Petersburg

  • St. Petersburg: capital of Russia that had access to the sea for trade. It was built that reflected European fashion

Prussia

• Fredrick William: Creation of absolute Prussia by expanding Brandenburg and military

  • Junkers: Prussian aristocracy that commanded army for more control over serfs and taxation

  • Military: disciplined and trained, commanded by Junkers

Spain

• Phillip II: United the Iberian Peninsula by capturing Portugal

• Dutch Revolt and Spanish Armada: led to decline of Spain