WORLD HISTORY ON FILE™
THE EXPANDING WORLD
3.11
GLOBAL EXPANSION AND ENCOUNTER, 1450–1770
Development of Absolute Monarchies 1479–1796
European monarchs during the
Middle Ages struggled to maintain control over the nobles
who ruled large parts of their
kingdoms. In the 16th and 17th
centuries, monarchs of many
European states centralized
authority and undermined the
power of these local lords.
Strong identification of monarch
with state contributed to the
emergence of nationalism,
which came to replace the old
system of local feudal loyalties.
Absolute monarchs had complete power (power unlimited
by law) and controlled the government of their countries more
directly than feudal kings had
been able to.
Characteristics of
Developing Absolutist
Monarchies 1500–1800
1475
1500
1525
1547 Ivan IV (called “the Terrible”) crowned first czar (emperor) of
Russia. He suppresses ruling class of nobles (called boyars).
1550
1575
1600
● Monarchs are source of
law, not subject to it.
● Monarchs have unlimited power over
all aspects of state government.
● Subjects (populace)
owe direct loyalty to
monarch, not to a local
feudal lord or region.
● Noble classes are
subject to monarch,
sometimes forming a
parliament with
some influence, but
no authority.
● Monarch dominates cultural life by patronage or
strict censorship.
● Large standing (professional and permanent)
state armies owe loyalty
directly to monarch.
● Organized state civil
service and economy
are under direct control
of monarch.
1485 Henry VII becomes first Tudor King of England. Feudal nobility
is weakened from civil war (1455–1485), allowing Henry to establish
powerful role for monarchy.
1509–1547 Reign of King Henry VIII of England. Breaks with
Catholicism and declares himself head of state and church (1535).
Firm control over his ministers leads to some being executed (e.g.,
Thomas More, 1535; Thomas Cromwell, 1540).
● Monarchs claim their
rule is by divine right.
EVENTS
1479–1516 Rule of Spain by King Ferdinand II of Aragón and his
wife Queen Isabella of Castile. Monarchy reduces power of nobles.
1625
1650
1675
1700
1556–1598 Reign of King Philip II of Spain. Inherits the Spanish
kingdom when his father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, divides his
empire on abdication. Spain becomes the most powerful state in
Europe. Control of government achieved through large bureaucracy.
Philip regards himself as protector of the Catholic Church against
Protestantism and institutes the most fanatical Inquisition in Europe.
1558–1603 Reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, daughter of
Henry VIII. Popular ruler who maintains close control of ministers,
nobles, and the running of government. England becomes a great
maritime power. Literature and drama flourish.
1589 Henry IV becomes king of France. The last remaining feudal
provinces within France come under direct control of monarch.
1643–1715 Reign of King Louis XIV (the Sun King) of France.
Louis rules by edict (declares “I am the state”) from vast new palace
at Versailles. Important nobility forced to live in palace with Louis.
Foreign artisans encouraged to work in France bring new skills.
Literature and drama flourish. Louis’ revocation of Edict of Nantes
(1685), which has assured religious freedom in France since 1598,
forces many Protestants to leave France.
1682–1725 Reign of Czar Peter I (the Great) of Russia. Under his
strong leadership Russia becomes a great power in Europe. Power
of boyars is reduced by giving their roles to centrally appointed
officials and a professional bureaucracy. All classes are made to
serve the state but particularly heavy demands are made on
peasants. The first czar to visit western Europe, he orders that
western customs be adopted. Government is based at a new capital,
called St. Petersburg, on conquered Swedish land; nobles are made
to live there.
1713 Frederick William I becomes king of Prussia. He creates a
strong professional army. Long era of Prussian expansion begins.
1725
1750
1775
1800
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Changes to the second edition © 2006 Infobase Publishing.
1740–1786 Reign of King Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia.
Prussia becomes a major European power, doubling the size of its
territory during his reign. He is admired throughout Europe for
political skill and learning. Encourages growth of industry, drains
swamp lands for farming, and draws up a new code of law.
1762–1796 Reign of Czarina Catherine I (the Great) of Russia.
She brings enlightened culture to Russia and allows nobles freedom
to choose careers. Taxes are raised to pay for her extravagant court.
Peasant rebellions prompted by near starvation conditions are
harshly oppressed (1773–1775).
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