Ch 2 Lesson 3: Absolutism in Europe (McGraw Hill)

Ch 2 Lesson 3 (McGraw Hill): Absolutism in Europe

France, Spain, Austria-Hungary, Prussia (Germany), Russia

Open Ended

What are the benefits and drawbacks of having an absolute ruler?

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What is the Age of Absolutism?

The period of time during which kings of western Europe had absolute

over their national governments and societies.

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What is the Divine Right Theory?

The theory that stated that kings had a

given right to rule their nations as they wished.

France: King Louis XIV (14) AKA "The Sun King" (1661-1733)

• epitomized the absolutist belief that the monarchy personified the state (the king WAS the country)

• Absolutism was created under Cardinal Richelieu who secularized (separated the government's power from the church) France and fostered loyalty to the French state

King Louis XIV (14) continued

• A. “I am the State”

• B. The symbol of the sun

• C. No meetings of the Estates General

• D. The strongest army in Europe

• E. The splendor of Versailles

• F. Fought too many wars, too much taxes

• G. Left the national treasury in debt

Multiple Choice

King Louis XIV's power was secured by

• Convincing the French people to love him

• Fighting and winning every war he started

• Cardinal Richelieu's secularization of France and support of the king

• marrying an Austrian princess, thus solidifying a close and powerful ally and allowing him to focus on England

The Palace of Versailles

Versailles Hall of Mirrors

• Daily routines at Versailles were exploited by Louis XIV 

• The nobility competed against each other to perform menial tasks for the king

Multiple Choice

King Louis XIV is remembered as

• a very successful king that helped his country

• a religiously devoted leader for his country

• a military genius

• a leader primarily interested in himself and left his country in debt

Spain's King Phillip II

• Ruled Spain, Netherlands, southern Italy and Americas 

• Centralized power, Absolute Monarch

• Guardian of Catholic Church

• Wars: Netherlands, Ottomans, Spanish Armada (biggest and best fleet in EU)

• Golden Century, Strong Spanish King

What were the reasons for the decline of Spanish power?

• Defeat of the Spanish Armada

• Heavy taxes on middle class

• The drain on the treasury

• Neglect of farming and trade with the colonies

• The slowdown of gold

• The expulsion of Jews and Muslims

Multiple Choice

All were reasons for the decline of Spanish power EXCEPT

• the welcoming and acceptance of Jews and Muslims

• Heavy taxes on middle class

• The slowdown of gold

• Defeat of the Spanish Armada

How did the Habsburgs affect Austria?

• They added Bohemia, and parts of Poland and Italy

• Controlled very diverse groups and gave them some unity (Magyars, Slavs)

• Never centralized authority like the other kings of Europe (2nd class kingdom)

Multiple Choice

Austria under the Habsburgs

• WAS an absolute monarchy

• was NOT an absolute monarchy

Prussia: How were German states united?

• Frederick II inherited the throne in 1740

• Frederick’s Prussia challenged Austria by taking Silesia and declaring independence; Frederick was a great warrior (Frederick the Great)

• Frederick continued to win several later wars making Prussia a strong military power.

Russia's First Czar, Ivan The Great

• In the 16th century a powerful grand duke named Ivan IV became the first czar (Russian word for caesar, or king)

• Conquered land eastward and crushed power of the nobility, or boyars

• Also known as Ivan the Terrible because of his ruthless deeds

Russia's Romanov Dynasty

• After Ivan died, anarchy followed ("The Time of Troubles"; Michael Romanov emerged as the new czar in 1613

• Peter the Great (Romanov) claimed the divine right to rule in 1689

• Determined to Westernize Russia by modernizing the army/navy, built a huge army; one of the most powerful nations by time of death (1725)

• Changed Russia culturally to be more European

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Fill in the Blanks

Ivan IV and Peter the Great were considered

monarchs