Chapter 2: Absolute Monarchs
2A- CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS
An absolute monarchy was a form of government in which an all-powerful king or queen rules a state. This form of government was popular in Europe toward the end of the medieval period all the way up to through the 18th century.
Rulers in an absolute monarchy had total control over the country. Most believed that they had the divine right to rule, meaning that God created the monarchy they ruled over and they alone were God’s representative on earth. These monarchs ruled for life and power was passed down through bloodlines, meaning their children ruled after them, creating a dynasty.
Causes of Absolutism
Before the time of the all-powerful monarchs, Europe had decentralized governments. Invasions by Vikings and other “barbarian” groups created fear amongst the population. This created a perfect environment for all-powerful leaders to rise.
Before the time of the all-powerful monarchs, Europe had decentralized governments. Invasions by Vikings and other “barbarian” groups created fear amongst the population. This created a perfect environment for all-powerful leaders to rise.
Effects of Absolutism
Once absolute monarchs gained power, they began to consolidate, or reinforce, their power within their borders. They would set up large royal courts. These were an extended royal household, including all those who regularly attend to the monarch and royal family. Monarchs would do this in order to appear more powerful and to control the nobility. They also regulated religion to control the spread of ideas. If monarchs could control what the people were hearing, they could keep their power. Large bureaucracies were also created in order to control the economy.
Once absolute monarchs gained power, they began to consolidate, or reinforce, their power within their borders. They would set up large royal courts. These were an extended royal household, including all those who regularly attend to the monarch and royal family. Monarchs would do this in order to appear more powerful and to control the nobility. They also regulated religion to control the spread of ideas. If monarchs could control what the people were hearing, they could keep their power. Large bureaucracies were also created in order to control the economy.
How Absolute Was Their Rule?
How powerful a king or queen was depended on the state in question. England, Poland, and The Holy Roman Empire were less absolutist. The rulers in these states shared power with a legislative branch known as parliament. The people had greater freedoms and limits were placed on the ruler’s power.
At the other end of the scale, there were countries that were very absolutist such as France and the Ottoman Empire. These states had total control by their ruler who claimed divine right to rule and controlled the nobility. The best example is Louis XIV of France who called himself “the Sun King” because, like the sun was to the earth, he was to France. Then you had states that were somewhere in the middle of the scale such as Spain and Russia.
How powerful a king or queen was depended on the state in question. England, Poland, and The Holy Roman Empire were less absolutist. The rulers in these states shared power with a legislative branch known as parliament. The people had greater freedoms and limits were placed on the ruler’s power.
At the other end of the scale, there were countries that were very absolutist such as France and the Ottoman Empire. These states had total control by their ruler who claimed divine right to rule and controlled the nobility. The best example is Louis XIV of France who called himself “the Sun King” because, like the sun was to the earth, he was to France. Then you had states that were somewhere in the middle of the scale such as Spain and Russia.
2B- LOUIS XIV OF FRANCE
France's Louis XIV was born in 1638. He was the son of King Louis XIII and Queen Anne. When King Louis XIII died in 1643, Louis XIV became king at just four years old. The young toddler’s mother and regent, or head minister, ruled unsuccessfully until he was old enough to rule himself.
Louis XIV ruled the country of France from 1643 to 1715 - a staggering 72 years, much longer than any monarch in Europe at the time. He gave himself the nickname of the “Sun King” because he believed he was like the sun to France. He believed he was chosen by God to rule and that everything revolved around him. He made the sun his royal symbol.
During his reign, Louis XIV worked to expand France’s territory. He did this through a series of wars with neighboring countries. In his 72 years of rule, he went to war with the Dutch, England, and Spain. Because of these wars, King XIV claimed land in central Europe for France.
Other than going to war, Louis XIV would annex, or “absorb” towns that border France, slowly increasing the size of the country. These wars and annexations helped France become the most dominant country on the mainland of Europe.
2C- PETER THE GREAT OF RUSSIA
Peter the Great was the czar, or monarch, of Russia from 1682 until he died in 1725. During his reign, he worked to modernize Russia and transform it into an empire that rivaled anything in Europe. He instituted a series of reforms to make Russia more closely resemble European states, brought the church under his control, moved the capital and consolidated his power by taking it from the noble class.
Westernization
When Peter was a young man, he traveled extensively through the kingdoms of Europe. He visited schools, factories, and shipyards among other things learning all about how the Europeans did things.
He was greatly impacted by what he saw. During his reign, he worked to make Russia seem more European. This is called “westernization” because he sought to make things more like Western European countries of France and Great Britain. Peter started newspapers, opened schools, and even forced the men of Russia to shave their long beards to seem more like the Europeans.
When Peter was a young man, he traveled extensively through the kingdoms of Europe. He visited schools, factories, and shipyards among other things learning all about how the Europeans did things.
He was greatly impacted by what he saw. During his reign, he worked to make Russia seem more European. This is called “westernization” because he sought to make things more like Western European countries of France and Great Britain. Peter started newspapers, opened schools, and even forced the men of Russia to shave their long beards to seem more like the Europeans.
The Orthodox Church
Before Peter the Great’s rule, the church in Russia, known as the Orthodox church, acted independently from the government. The church operated under a head priest known as a patriarch. When Peter the Great came to power, he fundamentally changed how the church was run. He built several new churches. He also removed the patriarch as head of the church bringing it under state control.
Before Peter the Great’s rule, the church in Russia, known as the Orthodox church, acted independently from the government. The church operated under a head priest known as a patriarch. When Peter the Great came to power, he fundamentally changed how the church was run. He built several new churches. He also removed the patriarch as head of the church bringing it under state control.
St. Petersburg
One important part of the rule of Peter the Great was that he moved the capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 1712. One of Peter the Great's goals was to transform Russia into a maritime, or sea fearing empire. He greatly increased the size of Russia's navy. The move from Moscow to St. Petersburg helped this, because St. Petersburg is located along the Baltic sea. This also greatly increased trade which is important for the growth of any empire.
One important part of the rule of Peter the Great was that he moved the capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 1712. One of Peter the Great's goals was to transform Russia into a maritime, or sea fearing empire. He greatly increased the size of Russia's navy. The move from Moscow to St. Petersburg helped this, because St. Petersburg is located along the Baltic sea. This also greatly increased trade which is important for the growth of any empire.
The Boyars
As with many of the other absolute monarchies of this time, Russia had a group of rich landowners who belonged to the nobility. These nobles, called the Boyars, held a great deal of power in Russia. The boyars disagreed with many of Peter the Great's reforms to make Russia seem more European. Many of them wanted to keep with traditional Russian values and traditions. Peter the Great began to heavily tax this group as a way to take their power away, even instituting a beard tax. This worked to take away the power of the Boyars and centralize his own.
As with many of the other absolute monarchies of this time, Russia had a group of rich landowners who belonged to the nobility. These nobles, called the Boyars, held a great deal of power in Russia. The boyars disagreed with many of Peter the Great's reforms to make Russia seem more European. Many of them wanted to keep with traditional Russian values and traditions. Peter the Great began to heavily tax this group as a way to take their power away, even instituting a beard tax. This worked to take away the power of the Boyars and centralize his own.
2D- PHILIP II OF SPAIN
King Philip II of Spain ruled over the Kingdom of Spain from 1556 to 1598. When he inherited the throne, Spain’s territory included the Netherlands, parts of France, Portugal, Italy, and the newly claimed Spanish Americas. He oversaw the most prosperous time for the Spanish empire. However, this mostly came from brutalizing indiginous populations and plundering in the New World.
Due to several costly wars and defeats, the Spanish empire also started to decline toward the end of Philip’s reign.. His rule can best be characterized as the rise and fall of the Spanish empire.
Rise
Three major events led to the rise of King Philip's Spanish empire. The first one is the defeat of the Ottomans at Lepanto in 1571 by the Spanish Armada. The Ottoman Empire attempted to expand into Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Armada set sail, met the Ottman fleet off the coast of Greece, and defeated them. This prevented Ottoman expansion into Europe and allowed Spain to keep all of its territory.
Three major events led to the rise of King Philip's Spanish empire. The first one is the defeat of the Ottomans at Lepanto in 1571 by the Spanish Armada. The Ottoman Empire attempted to expand into Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Armada set sail, met the Ottman fleet off the coast of Greece, and defeated them. This prevented Ottoman expansion into Europe and allowed Spain to keep all of its territory.
The second reason for the rise of King Philip was the resources being brought back from the Americas in the 1570s. The Spanish Empire claimed vast chunks of land in what is now South and Central America in the early 1500s. By the 1570s, they were bringing back millions worth of gold and silver to Spain every year. This in turn fueled wars for expansion of the Spanish empire.
Lastly, King Philip seized Portugal shortly after their king died. In 1580, the Portuguese King Henry passed away leaving no heir, or successor. King Philip took this opportunity to seize Portugal for Spain. Spain controlled Portugal, its main rival on the Iberian peninsula, for 60 years.
Lastly, King Philip seized Portugal shortly after their king died. In 1580, the Portuguese King Henry passed away leaving no heir, or successor. King Philip took this opportunity to seize Portugal for Spain. Spain controlled Portugal, its main rival on the Iberian peninsula, for 60 years.
Decline
The 1570s was an important time for King Philip and the Spanish empire. As stated, many events helped lead to King Philip’s increase in power, but also it was the beginning of the end. In 1579, seven Dutch provinces declared independence from Spain. The war between Spain and the Dutch provinces lasted until 1648.
Another reason for the decline of King Philip and the Spanish empire was the famous defeat of the Spanish Armada. At this time, the Spanish Armada was considered by most to be the most powerful fleet in the world. It was called the “Grande y Felicísima Armada: ('Great and Most Fortunate Navy). In 1588, it was sailing towards England to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and stop English interference in the Spanish Netherlands. However, the fleet was hit by a major storm before heading into battle with the English navy. English ships attacked the weakened Armada and were faster and more maneuverable than the larger Spanish galleons. Many ships were wrecked on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland and more than a third of the initial 130 ships failed to return home to Spain.
The last reason for the decline of the Spanish empire under King Philp II was due to bankruptcy or simply put, they ran out of money. The Spanish were engaged in various wars and expansions throughout the reign of King Philip II. In 1596, Spain was forced to declare bankruptcy for the fourth time.
The 1570s was an important time for King Philip and the Spanish empire. As stated, many events helped lead to King Philip’s increase in power, but also it was the beginning of the end. In 1579, seven Dutch provinces declared independence from Spain. The war between Spain and the Dutch provinces lasted until 1648.
Another reason for the decline of King Philip and the Spanish empire was the famous defeat of the Spanish Armada. At this time, the Spanish Armada was considered by most to be the most powerful fleet in the world. It was called the “Grande y Felicísima Armada: ('Great and Most Fortunate Navy). In 1588, it was sailing towards England to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and stop English interference in the Spanish Netherlands. However, the fleet was hit by a major storm before heading into battle with the English navy. English ships attacked the weakened Armada and were faster and more maneuverable than the larger Spanish galleons. Many ships were wrecked on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland and more than a third of the initial 130 ships failed to return home to Spain.
The last reason for the decline of the Spanish empire under King Philp II was due to bankruptcy or simply put, they ran out of money. The Spanish were engaged in various wars and expansions throughout the reign of King Philip II. In 1596, Spain was forced to declare bankruptcy for the fourth time.
2E- ENGLAND'S DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA
King Philip II conquest of England
In 1588 King Philip II launched an attempt to conquer England. King Philip was married to Henry VIII of England’s daughter Mary. After her death, the rule of England fell to Mary's half-sister, the Protestant Elizabeth II. King Philip felt that he was the rightful ruler of England and wanted to bring the country back under Catholic control. He believed that his powerful navy, the Spanish Armada could defeat the English at sea and pave the way for a land invasion. King Philip's armada was known as the “invincible armada” because it was made up of 130 ships and had won many victories in the past.
In 1588 King Philip II launched an attempt to conquer England. King Philip was married to Henry VIII of England’s daughter Mary. After her death, the rule of England fell to Mary's half-sister, the Protestant Elizabeth II. King Philip felt that he was the rightful ruler of England and wanted to bring the country back under Catholic control. He believed that his powerful navy, the Spanish Armada could defeat the English at sea and pave the way for a land invasion. King Philip's armada was known as the “invincible armada” because it was made up of 130 ships and had won many victories in the past.
The Armada Sets Sail
The Armada first set sail from Lisbon, Portugal in May of 1588. The goal was for the armada to secure the English Channel, the stretch of water located between England and France. It was very hard for an Armada of this size to go unnoticed, so the English were ready and waiting for their arrival.
The Armada first set sail from Lisbon, Portugal in May of 1588. The goal was for the armada to secure the English Channel, the stretch of water located between England and France. It was very hard for an Armada of this size to go unnoticed, so the English were ready and waiting for their arrival.
The English and Spanish first met off the coast of Plymouth on July 31, 1588. The fighting intensified on August 2 and 3rd. The goal was for the Armada to get close enough to the British that they could board their ships and fight hand to hand. The English were no match for the Spanish in hand to hand combat. However, the British stayed far away from the Armada and pounded them with long-range cannons. The Armada suffered heavy losses.
The End of the Spanish Armada
The Armada eventually reached the ports of Calais, France. The goal here was to load up a Spanish army from nearby Flanders for passage to England. This proved to be impossible because the English still largely controlled the channel between England and France. To make matters worse, The British set several of their own ships on fire and sent them toward the armada. The gamble paid off and several ships of the armada were burned.
The Spanish armada, already badly hurt, headed north. On August 8th, the English once again met the Spanish and beat them at the Battle of Gravelines. This sent the Armada fleeing north to escape the English fleet. The fleet rounded the northern coast of Scotland only to be caught in a terrible storm, which sank many more ships. The remaining ships were forced back to Santander Spain. This marked the end of the Spanish Armada.
The Armada eventually reached the ports of Calais, France. The goal here was to load up a Spanish army from nearby Flanders for passage to England. This proved to be impossible because the English still largely controlled the channel between England and France. To make matters worse, The British set several of their own ships on fire and sent them toward the armada. The gamble paid off and several ships of the armada were burned.
The Spanish armada, already badly hurt, headed north. On August 8th, the English once again met the Spanish and beat them at the Battle of Gravelines. This sent the Armada fleeing north to escape the English fleet. The fleet rounded the northern coast of Scotland only to be caught in a terrible storm, which sank many more ships. The remaining ships were forced back to Santander Spain. This marked the end of the Spanish Armada.
2F- eNGLAND'S GLORIOUS REVOLUTION
The Glorious Revolution marked Great Britain’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, or a monarchy governed jointly by a monarch and a governing body called a parliament. The journey to being jointly ruled by a monarch and parliament was important not only for England, but it began to lay the groundwork for the importance of a governing body to represent the people’s interests and not an all-powerful king. It was called “glorious” because it was completed mostly without bloodshed. Although the Glorious Revolution occurred in 1688, the seeds of this revolution began much earlier.
Queen Elizabeth I of England reigned from 1558 to 1603. She was unmarried and had no children, so when she died there was no heir to pass the crown on to. It was determined that her cousin, James I of Scotland, was going to become King. He reigned from 1603-1625. During his rule, he did not have a very good relationship with parliament. He rarely called them to meet. King James did his best to find a balance between Catholics and Protestants, but in 1604 a small group of Catholics felt King James was being unfair. They attempted to kill King James and blow up Parliament in protest. Later called “The Gunpowder Plot,” the plan was discovered shortly before it could be carried out. All the conspirators were caught, tried, and executed.
After the death of King James I in 1625, His only son Charles took the throne. He ruled from 1625 to 1649. King Charles had a difficult relationship with parliament also, especially about money. He fought often with Parliament because he needed tax money in order to fight wars. During his reign, he dissolved Parliament on three separate occasions, choosing to rule by himself. This made him very unpopular at the time.
Charles I’s problems with Parliament did not go unnoticed. During the third Parliament, members drew up a document called The Petition of Rights. This document limited a king or queen’s power. The document was also supposed to have him share power with Parliament but King Charles did not follow it.
King Charles' problems with Parliament continued. In 1640, he called together what was known as “the Long Parliament,” to discuss raising money for a war with Scotland. Two years later in 1642, King Charles was frustrated but agreed not to dissolve the Parliament. This turned out to be a mistake because the two sides could not agree on money issues. The conflict erupted into an all-out civil war. The two sides of the English Civil War were the Cavaliers, who supported the King, and the Roundheads who supported Parliament.
Charles I’s problems with Parliament did not go unnoticed. During the third Parliament, members drew up a document called The Petition of Rights. This document limited a king or queen’s power. The document was also supposed to have him share power with Parliament but King Charles did not follow it.
King Charles' problems with Parliament continued. In 1640, he called together what was known as “the Long Parliament,” to discuss raising money for a war with Scotland. Two years later in 1642, King Charles was frustrated but agreed not to dissolve the Parliament. This turned out to be a mistake because the two sides could not agree on money issues. The conflict erupted into an all-out civil war. The two sides of the English Civil War were the Cavaliers, who supported the King, and the Roundheads who supported Parliament.
The English Civil War raged from 1642 to 1651. Oliver Cromwell, a military general and member of Parliament, defeated forces loyal to King Charles. Cromwell was the head of the New Model Army, which was formed by Parliament for the conflict. The result of the English Civil War was that Parliament took power and Charles I was executed. Cromwell oversaw Parliament, making England very Puritan. Theaters and pubs were closed and sports were banned.
Cromwell died and in 1660, King Charles II took power. He ruled from 1660-1685 and ushered in a period called “The Restoration.” This was a period in which the monarchy was restored and brought back to power. King Charles was known as the “Merry Monarch” because he reopened theaters, bard, and sporting events.
After the death of King Charles, his brother James II took power. Much like Charles I, he also had a difficult relationship with Parliament. He did not call them often and fought over money. It was during his rule that the Glorious Revolution took place. James II and his brother Charles were both Catholics. A Protestant uprising caused James II to flee into exile and to hand the power to William of Orange and James’ own daughter Mary. They were asked to take the throne of England because they were Protestant and worked well with Parliament.
In 1689, William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. This was a very important document that limited the monarch’s powers and made them share it with Parliament. It cemented the importance of Parliament and created a constitutional monarchy.
Cromwell died and in 1660, King Charles II took power. He ruled from 1660-1685 and ushered in a period called “The Restoration.” This was a period in which the monarchy was restored and brought back to power. King Charles was known as the “Merry Monarch” because he reopened theaters, bard, and sporting events.
After the death of King Charles, his brother James II took power. Much like Charles I, he also had a difficult relationship with Parliament. He did not call them often and fought over money. It was during his rule that the Glorious Revolution took place. James II and his brother Charles were both Catholics. A Protestant uprising caused James II to flee into exile and to hand the power to William of Orange and James’ own daughter Mary. They were asked to take the throne of England because they were Protestant and worked well with Parliament.
In 1689, William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. This was a very important document that limited the monarch’s powers and made them share it with Parliament. It cemented the importance of Parliament and created a constitutional monarchy.