European Monarchies: Absolute vs. Constitutional

Monarchs: Absolute & Constitutional

Essential Question

• Why did some European monarchies become absolute while others became constitutional?

• What were the consequences of these transformations?

Countries of the Unit

• Spain: Religious dominance (Catholic)

• Netherlands: Commercial revolution (Capitalism)

• England: Constitutional monarchy (a king limited by a Constitution)

• France: Absolute Monarchy (cultural brilliance and luxury epitomized by the Palace of Versailles)

• Russia: Absolute Monarchy (focus on modernization)

SPAIN

Concepts to Address

• Background/Context for Philip II

• Catholicism: Importance of Catholic faith and its implications on monarchial policy.

• Three Enemies of Spain: To understand Spain's foreign policy and military engagements.

• Mercantilism: Economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth through trade.

• New World Exploration: Impact on Spain due to colonial expansions and acquisitions of wealth.

• Columbian Exchange: The exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the New World and the Old World, and its impact on Spain's economy.

• Inflation: The economic changes due to an influx of riches from the colonies leading to inflation in Spain.

NETHERLANDS (DUTCH)

Concepts to Address

• The Dutch Revolt: A major conflict against Spanish rule, indicative of the desires for autonomy and religious freedom.

  • Religious Differences: Protestant Reformation influences.

  • High Taxes: Economic strain imposed by Spanish control and governance.

  • Spanish Control over Trade and Politics: An analysis of the power struggle within the region.

• 80 Years War: The prolonged conflict and its transformative effects on the Dutch identity.

  • Impact of the War: How it brought political and economic change.

  • Politically: Shift from Spanish control to autonomy.

  • Economically: Growth in Dutch trade and fortunes.

• Commercial Revolution: The changes leading to a capitalist economy.

  • Capitalism: Rise of financial institutions and trade companies, notably the Dutch East India Company.

  • Republic: The establishment of a republican form of governance, switching from Spanish monarchy influence.

ENGLAND

Concepts to Address

• Background/Context for Elizabeth I

  • Henry VIII's Children: Succession complexities.

  1. Mary I (2nd line):

     • A staunch Catholic who persecuted Protestants (termed "Bloody Mary").

     • Married Philip II of Spain, reinforcing Catholic influence.

  2. Elizabeth I (3rd line):

     • Passed the Act of Uniformity, establishing the Anglican Church as the national religion.

  3. Edward VI (1st in succession)

• Elizabeth’s Success & Challenges:

  • Marriage Question: Elizabeth's refusal to marry and its implications for her rule and succession.

  • Spanish Armada: Naval conflict against Spain under Philip II.

  • Three Reasons for Armada:
    1.) Religious Conflict
    2.) Political Power
    3.) Personal Reasons

  • Who won the battle?: England's pivotal naval victory.

• Stuarts & Problems with Parliament:

  • James I: Emphasized the Divine Right of Kings.

  • Define Divine Right of Kings: The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, not from their subjects.

  • Struggles with Parliament: Conflicts concerning power-sharing between monarch and legislative body.

  • Charles I:

  • Petition of Right: A constitutional document demanding the king not impose taxes without Parliament's consent.

  • Define Petition of Right: A statement of civil liberties sent by the House of Commons to Charles I.

• English Civil War:

  • Causes & Outcomes: The instigating factors behind the conflict, namely the struggle for power.

  • Roundheads vs. Cavaliers: Parliamentary supporters (Roundheads) faced off against royalists (Cavaliers).

  • Oliver Cromwell: Leader of the Parliamentary forces, a key Puritan figure.

• Restoration: The re-establishment of the monarchy under Charles II.

  • Moderate Ruler: His attempts to balance power and re-establish stability.

• James II: An openly Catholic ruler facing resistance from Parliament.

  • Issues with Parliament: Conflicts that arose due to his religion

  • Mary: Protestant daughter of James II's first marriage, claims on the throne.

• Glorious Revolution:

  • William of Orange and Mary: Their ascension to power marked a shift in governance.

  • Define Bloodless Revolution: A revolution with minimal violence that led to significant change.

  • Constitutional Monarchy Establishment: The rules governing the monarch's powers post-revolution.

• English Bill of Rights:

  • Prohibits abuse of royal power, establishing limitations on the monarchy.

  • Key provisions include:

  • Cannot house soldiers during peacetime or wartime.

FRANCE

Concepts to Address

• Absolutism: A system where the monarch holds absolute power without constitutional limitations or representative actions.

  • Examples of Absolutism:

  1. Monarch’s ability to create laws and govern without Parliament.

  2. Centralized control over taxation and military.

  3. Lack of checks on the monarch’s authority.

• Louis XIV: Known as the Sun King, epitomizing absolute monarchy.

  • Revocation of the Edict of Nantes: An act that removed religious freedoms for Huguenots, consolidating Catholic dominance.

  • Palace of Versailles: A symbol of royal extravagance and control over nobles, emphasizing the power and status of the king.

  • Importance of Versailles: It served as a center of political power, culture, and a showcase of royal authority.

RUSSIA

Concepts to Address

• Absolutism: Similar to other monarchies, where the ruling figure holds unchallenged authority.

  • Emphasis on the need for modernization in Russian governance and society.

• Peter the Great:. Focused on transforming Russia into a modern state.

  • Russian Isolation: Understanding the socio-political climate before reforms.

  • Serfdom: The widespread practice representing feudalistic control which highlighted Russia's need for modernization.

  • Explanation of Serfdom: A system where peasants were tied to land, demanding reforms for economic and social progress.

• Modernization Efforts:

  • Travel to the “West”: Peter’s visits to Western Europe influenced his reform ideas.

  • Fashion Changes: Introduction of Western styles, including cutting off Orthodox beards, showcasing modernization.

  • Status of Women: Legal changes to improve women's rights, including lifting veils and outlawing forced marriages, reflecting progressive societal shifts.

  • St. Petersburg: Founding of a culturally and politically significant city to symbolize modernization efforts and a new era for Russia.

  • Importance of these examples: Reflects Peter's absolute power to enact change and modernization against traditionalist resistance.