Age of Absolutism
1550-1800
Key Rulers
& Their Impact
Introduction
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The Age of Absolutism was a period of time when
ruling monarchs wielded unrestricted political power
over the sovereign state and its people.
Their justification was that their rule was in fact a
“Divine Right” from God.
Nations became superpowers but the strong rule
created external conflicts, such as religious and
colonial wars, and internal conflicts, such as
revolutions and civil wars, as kings got too
powerful.
Spain
Ferdinand & Isabella
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Spain was ruled by absolute monarchy during the
1400-1500‘s. At that time they were the most
powerful and richest country in Europe.
The marriage and rule of King Ferdinand &
Queen Isabella united Spain, completed the
Reconquest, and funded many voyages; notably,
that of Christopher Columbus.
They also built up a substantial naval fleet to
protect their new colonies and trade routes.
Charles V
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Spain experienced further growth
under King Charles V (a Holy
Roman Emperor) who made Spain a
superpower by taking gold/silver
from the New World.
Unfortunately, he used much of the
wealth to fight religious wars
defending the Roman Catholic
Church.
His son Philip II succeeded him as
the ruler of Spain.
Philip II
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During his marriage to Queen Mary I, he was also
King of England and Ireland. From 1555, he was lord of
the 17 Provinces of the Netherlands.
His empire included territories on every continent
including his namesake the Philippine Islands.
During his reign, Spain reached the height of its
influence and power. This is sometimes called the
“Golden Age of Spain”.
The expression,"the empire on which the sun never
sets," was coined during Philip's time to reflect the
extent of his dominion.
Decline of Spain
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The Reconquest drove many brilliant Muslims and
Jews to Spain's rival countries.
Gold & Silver mines eventually dried up, was stolen by
pirates and privateers across the Atlantic and the wars
of Charles and Philip consumed gold.
Age of Exploration required a modern, powerful navy
to police overseas empires, Spain's navy was declining
as England's was growing.
After the American Revolution, Spanish colonies
began fighting for independence and all were free or
conquered by 1900.
France
Henry IV
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France developed into a wealthy and powerful
absolute monarchy from New World trade.
Henry IV ruled during the shock of the Protestant
Reformation and used the Edict of Nantes to
declare religious toleration in France, but was
murdered by a religious fanatic.
Louis XIII, at the age of 9 years old, inherited a
divided and violent France.
Cardinal Armand Richelieu, crushed power of the
nobles and Protestants to make Louis XIII an
absolute monarch of a unified and peaceful France.
The 30 Years War
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The Thirty Years War was a religious war between
Catholic Spain and Austria versus Protestant North
German kingdoms and the Netherlands.
France helped Protestants to weaken Spain, but it
was very costly to France.
Louis XIV
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Louis XIV, at the age of 5 years old, inherited a
powerful/unified France and made it a superpower.
Cardinal Jules Mazarin appointed by Richelieu to be
chief minister.
Louis XIV was known as the “Sun King,” made
France the wealthy, powerful, cultural, intellectual
center of Europe as important as the sun is to the
galaxy.
Palace of Versailles
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Palace of Versailles was the most extravagant
palace in Europe, housed 10,000 people so Louis
could directly control the lives of the feudal nobility.
War of Spanish
Succession
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Philip V, a grandson of Louis XIV, inherits
the throne of Spain, so Louis XIV declares France
and Spain united.
England goes to war to keep them separated to
maintain a "balance of power“. This war became
known as the War of the Spanish Succession.
France’s Debt & Taxes
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Louis XIV's luxury and wars put France in debt so
taxes had to rise.
He never consulted the Estates General about
spending of tax money.
Louis XV
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Louis XV inherited high taxes and
debt, but continued France's luxury,
then lost The Seven Years War
which gave ground to England
Canada and split Louisiana between
England and Spain.
France lost all New World money.
The French Absolute Monarchy
was the most powerful in
Europe, but was going
bankrupt.
England
Limited Monarchy
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England began developing a “Limited Monarchy”
since the adoption of the Magna Carta of 1215,
marking a move towards democracy.
Trade with the New World is making England
rich.
England developed a strong navy which will make
England the world superpower until 1918, as Spain
declines and France goes broke and begins the
French Revolution.
Henry VIII
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Henry VIII asked for Parliament's support when
the Act of Supremacy created the Church of
England.
Elizabeth I
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Elizabeth I was a powerful
and popular queen for 45
years. She helped established
New World colonies and
made England rich & powerful.
She protected Protestant
Netherlands from Catholic
Spain to keep access to
continental Europe, defeated
the Spanish Armada in 1588,
but died with no heir.
James I
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James I began the Scottish Stuart Dynasty. He
inherited the throne promoting Roman Catholic
Church and Absolutism.
Many Protestants flee to America to escape the
unpopular James.
Charles I
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Parliament demanded Charles I to sign the
“Petition of Right,” which gives full power of
taxes to Parliament.
Charles refuses to sign and dismisses Parliament
so he can rule as an absolute monarch.
English Civil War
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Parliament forms an army of "roundheads"
(disciplined Puritans) led by Oliver Cromwell to
fight Charles's "cavaliers,” which lead to the
English Civil War.
Charles is captured and beheaded which shocked
Europe that a “Divine Right" king could be
disposed of by the people.
This act made Spain and France more resistant to
having a “Limited Monarchy.”
Monarchy Abolished
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Parliament abolishes the monarchy and Cromwell
attempts to form a republic, but England is lost
after having continuous kings since William in
1066.
Once the republic failed, Parliament offered
Charles II the throne to restore the monarchy in
what became known as the Restoration.
James II threatened to return to Roman Catholic
Church and Absolutism rule.
The Glorious Revolution
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In the Glorious Revolution, Parliament invites
William & Mary to rule England on the condition
that they sign the “English Bill of Rights” which
permanently makes Parliament supreme.
William & Mary ruled England with limited
powers. This cooperative effort led to an era of
peace and prosperity in England.