Chapter 17, Section

World
World History:
History: Connection
Connection to
to Today
Today

Chapter 17
The Age of Absolutism
(1550–1800)

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Chapter 17, Section
World
World History:
History: Connection
Connection to
to Today
Today

Chapter 17: The Age of Absolutism

(1550–1800)

ection 1: Extending Spanish Power

ection 2: France Under Louis XIV

ection 3: Triumph of Parliament in England

ection 4: Rise of Austria and Prussia

ection 5: Absolute Monarchy in Russia

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Chapter 17, Section 1

Extending Spanish Power

• How did Spanish power increase under Charles V

and Philip II?

• How did the arts flourish during Spain’s golden age?

• Why did the Spanish economy decline in the 1600s?

Chapter 17, Section 1

How Did Spanish Power Increase Under Charles V and Philip II?

CHARLES V PHILIP II
In 1519, Charles V inherited a During his 42-year reign, Philip
huge empire. He became king of worked to expand Spanish
Spain and was also the heir to influence, strengthen the
the Hapsburg empire. Catholic Church, and make his
own power absolute.
Ruling two empires involved
Charles in constant warfare. Philip reigned as an absolute
monarch. He asserted that he
Eventually, Charles gave up his ruled by divine right.
titles and divided his empire. Philip saw himself as guardian
of the Roman Catholic Church.

Philip fought many wars as he

attempted to advance Spanish
Catholic power.
Chapter 17, Section 1

The Wars of Philip II, 1571–1588

Chapter 17, Section 1

Spain’s Golden Age

The century from 1550 to 1650 is often called Spain’s siglo de

oro, or “golden century,” for the brilliance of its arts and
literature.

PAINTERS WRITERS

El Greco produced Lope de Vega wrote more

haunting religious than 1,500 plays, including
pictures, dramatic views witty comedies and action-
of the city of Toledo, and packed romances.
striking portraits of
Spanish nobles.
Miguel de Cervantes wrote
Don Quixote, the first
Diego Velázquez painted modern novel in Europe.
vivid portraits of Spanish
royalty.
Chapter 17, Section 1

Economic Decline

In the 1600s, Spanish power and prosperity slowly declined.

LACK OF STRONG LEADERSHIP

• The successors of Philip II were far less able leaders than he.

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
• Costly overseas wars drained wealth out of Spain almost as
fast as it came in.
• Treasure from the Americas led Spain to neglect farming and
commerce.
• The expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain deprived the
economy of many skilled artisans and merchants.
• American gold and silver led to soaring inflation.
Chapter 17, Section 1

Section 1 Assessment

Which of the following was not a cause for Spain’s economic decline?
a) costly overseas wars
b) the expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain
c) lack of strong leadership
d) a decrease in the amount of money in circulation

Who painted views of the city of Toledo and portraits of Spanish nobles?
a) El Greco
b) Cervantes
c) Velázquez
d) Lope de Vega

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Chapter 17, Section 1

Section 1 Assessment

Which of the following was not a cause for Spain’s economic decline?
a) costly overseas wars
b) the expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain
c) lack of strong leadership
d) a decrease in the amount of money in circulation

Who painted views of the city of Toledo and portraits of Spanish nobles?
a) El Greco
b) Cervantes
c) Velázquez
d) Lope de Vega

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Chapter 17, Section 2

France Under Louis XIV

• How did France rebuild after its wars of

religion?

• How did Louis XIV strengthen royal power?

• What successes and failures did Louis XIV

experience?
Chapter 17, Section 2

Rebuilding France

From the 1560s to the 1590s, religious wars between

Huguenots (French Protestants) and the Catholic
majority tore France apart.

To protect Protestants, Henry IV issued the Edict of

Nantes, which granted Huguenots religious toleration
and let them fortify their own towns and cities.

Henry then set out to heal the shattered land. Under

Henry, the government reached into every aspect of
French life.

By building the royal bureaucracy and reducing the

power of the nobility, Henry laid the foundations for royal
absolutism.
Chapter 17, Section 2

How Did Louis XIV Strengthen Royal Power?

Louis took the sun as the symbol of his absolute power and
was often quoted as saying, “L’etat, c’est moi”—“I am the
state.”

During his 72-year reign, Louis did not once call a meeting of
the Estates General.

Louis expanded the bureaucracy and appointed intendants,

royal officials who collected taxes, recruited soldiers, and
carried out Louis’s policies in the provinces.

Louis created the strongest army in Europe, which he used to

enforce his policies at home and abroad.
Chapter 17, Section 2

Successes and Failures of Louis XIV

SUCCESSES FAILURES
Louis greatly strengthened Louis engaged in costly wars
royal power. that had disastrous results.
The French army became the
strongest in Europe. Rival rulers joined forces to
check French ambitions.
France became the wealthiest
state in Europe.
Louis persecuted the
Huguenots, causing many to
French culture, manners, and
flee France. Their departure
customs became the
was a huge blow to the
European standard.
French economy.
The arts flourished in France.
Chapter 17, Section 2

Section 2 Assessment

What was the purpose of the Edict of Nantes?

a) It granted religious toleration to Catholics.
b) It granted religious toleration to the Huguenots.
c) It granted religious toleration to Jews.
d) It granted religious toleration to Muslims.

Which is an example of how Louis XIV strengthened royal power?

a) He disbanded the French military.
b) He met regularly with the Estates General.
c) He appointed intendants to carry out his policies.
d) He increased the power of the nobility.

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Chapter 17, Section 2

Section 2 Assessment

What was the purpose of the Edict of Nantes?

a) It granted religious toleration to Catholics.
b) It granted religious toleration to the Huguenots.
c) It granted religious toleration to Jews.
d) It granted religious toleration to Muslims.

Which is an example of how Louis XIV strengthened royal power?

a) He disbanded the French military.
b) He met regularly with the Estates General.
c) He appointed intendants to carry out his policies.
d) He increased the power of the nobility.

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Chapter 17, Section 3

Triumph of Parliament in England

• How did the Tudors and Stuarts differ in their

relations with Parliament?

• How did the English Civil War lead to the rise of

the Commonwealth?

• What were the causes and results of the Glorious

Revolution?
Chapter 17, Section 3

Events in England, 1603 – 1689

Chapter 17, Section 3

The Tudors and the Stuarts

The Tudors believed in divine The Stuarts believed in

right, but also recognized the divine right and repeatedly
value of good relations with clashed with Parliament.
Parliament.

When he broke with the When he needed funds,

Roman Catholic Church or James I dissolved Parliament
when he needed funds, and collected taxes on his
Henry VIII consulted own.
Parliament.
Charles I ignored the Petition
Elizabeth both consulted and of Right, dissolved
controlled Parliament. Parliament, and ruled the
nation for 11 years without it.
Chapter 17, Section 3

The English Civil War

The English Civil War pitted supporters of Charles I against the

forces of Parliament, under Oliver Cromwell.

Cromwell’s army defeated the forces of the king.

Parliament put Charles on trial and condemned him to death as “a

tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy.”

After the execution of Charles I, the House of Commons

abolished the monarchy, the House of Lords, and the official
Church of England. It declared England a republic, known as the
Commonwealth, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.

In executing the king, parliamentary forces sent a clear signal

that, in England, no ruler could claim absolute power and ignore
the rule of law.
Chapter 17, Section 3

The Glorious Revolution

When James II angered his subjects and clashed with Parliament,

parliamentary leaders invited William and Mary to become rulers of
England. When William and Mary landed in England, James II fled to
France. This bloodless overthrow of a king became known as the Glorious
Revolution.

Before they could be crowned, William and Mary had to accept the English
Bill of Rights, which:
• ensured superiority of Parliament over the monarchy.
• gave the House of Commons “power of the purse.”
• prohibited a monarch from interfering with Parliament.
• barred any Roman Catholic from sitting on the throne.
• restated the rights of English citizens.

The Glorious Revolution did not create democracy, but a type of

government called limited monarchy, in which a constitution or legislative
body limits the monarch’s powers.
Chapter 17, Section 3

Section 3 Assessment

When the Tudor monarchs needed funds, they

a) dissolved Parliament.
b) consulted with Parliament.
c) raised their own money.
d) borrowed money from France.

Who came to power in England during the Glorious Revolution?

a) Charles I
b) James II
c) William and Mary
d) Elizabeth I

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Chapter 17, Section 3

Section 3 Assessment

When the Tudor monarchs needed funds, they

a) dissolved Parliament.
b) consulted with Parliament.
c) raised their own money.
d) borrowed money from France.

Who came to power in England during the Glorious Revolution?

a) Charles I
b) James II
c) William and Mary
d) Elizabeth I

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Chapter 17, Section 4

Rise of Austria and Prussia

• What were the causes and results of the Thirty

Years’ War?

• How did Austria and Prussia emerge as great

powers?

• How did European diplomats try to maintain a

balance of power?
Chapter 17, Section 4

The Thirty Years’ War

CAUSES RESULTS
Rival German princes held more The Peace of Westphalia ended
power than the emperor. the war with a general European
peace.
Religion divided the Protestant
The war led to severe
north and the Catholic south and
depopulation.
created a power vacuum.
France gained territory.
The Hapsburgs were forced to
accept independence of all of the
princes of the Holy Roman
Empire.

Germany was divided into more

than 360 states.

The Netherlands and present-day

Switzerland won independence.
Chapter 17, Section 4

Europe After the Thirty Years’ War

Chapter 17, Section 4

Austria and Prussia

Two great empires, Austria and Prussia, rose out of the ashes of
the Thirty Years’ War.

AUSTRIA PRUSSIA
The Hapsburgs kept the title of The Hohenzollern family
Holy Roman emperors and united their lands by taking
expanded their lands. over the states between them.
Hohenzollern kings set up an
Hapsburg monarchs worked efficient central bureaucracy
hard to unite the empire, which and reduced the
included peoples from many independence of nobles.
backgrounds and cultures. Frederick William I created
one of the best armies in
Maria Theresa won popular Europe.
support and strengthened
Frederick II used the army to
Hapsburg power by
strengthen Prussia.
reorganizing the bureaucracy
and improving tax collection.
Chapter 17, Section 4

Maintaining the Balance of Power

By 1750, the great powers of Europe included Austria, Prussia,

France, England, and Russia.

These powers formed various alliances to maintain the balance

of power.

Though nations sometimes switched partners, two rivalries

persisted.

• Prussia battled Austria for control of the German states.

• Britain and France competed for overseas empire.
Chapter 17, Section 4

Section 4 Assessment

A major cause of the Thirty Years’ War was

a) conflict between Germany and Russia.
b) conflict between Protestants and Catholics within the Holy Roman
Empire.
c) conflict between Catholics and Jews within the Holy Roman
Empire.
d) conflict between Germany and England.

Which European powers were major rivals by 1750?

a) Spain and England
b) Prussia and Austria
c) France and Russia
d) The Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire

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Chapter 17, Section 4

Section 4 Assessment

A major cause of the Thirty Years’ War was

a) conflict between Germany and Russia.
b) conflict between Protestants and Catholics within the Holy Roman
Empire.
c) conflict between Catholics and Jews within the Holy Roman
Empire.
d) conflict between Germany and England.

Which European powers were major rivals by 1750?

a) Spain and England
b) Prussia and Austria
c) France and Russia
d) The Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire

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Chapter 17, Section 5

Absolute Monarchy in Russia

• How did Peter the Great try to make Russia into

a modern state?

• What steps did Peter take to expand Russia’s

borders?

• How did Catherine the Great strengthen Russia?

Chapter 17, Section 5

Peter the Great

Peter the Great was committed to a policy of westernization in

Russia. However, persuading Russians to change their way of
life proved difficult. To impose his will, Peter became the most
autocratic of Europe’s absolute monarchs. During his reign he:

• forced the boyars, or landowning nobles, to serve the state.

• imported western technology and culture.
• insisted that the boyars shave their beards and wear western-
style clothing.
• used autocratic methods to push through social and economic
reforms.
• imposed policies which caused the spread of serfdom.
• brought all Russian institutions under his control.
Chapter 17, Section 5

Expansion Under Peter

Peter created the largest standing army in Europe and set

out to extend Russian borders to the west and south.

Peter unsuccessfully fought the Ottomans in an attempt to

gain a warm-water port for Russia.

Peter engaged in a long war with Sweden, and eventually

won land along the Baltic Sea. On land won from Sweden,
Peter built a magnificent new capital city, St. Petersburg.

Peter signed a treaty with Qing China which recognized

Russia’s right to lands north of Manchuria.

Peter hired a navigator to explore what became known as

the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska.
Chapter 17, Section 5

Catherine the Great

An efficient, energetic empress, who ruled in the tradition of absolute

monarchs, Catherine:

• reorganized the provincial government, codified laws, and began

state-sponsored education for boys and girls.

• embraced and encouraged Western ideas and culture.

• gained a warm-water port on the Black Sea.

• agreed to partition Poland and gained the eastern portion.

• granted special privileges to the boyars.

• allowed the boyars to increase their control of the peasants and

repressed peasant rebellions.
Chapter 17, Section 5

Expansion of Russia, 1689 – 1796

Chapter 17, Section 5

Section 5 Assessment

Peter the Great was unable to

a) defeat Sweden and win lands along the Baltic Sea.
b) obtain a warm-water port for Russia.
c) build his new capital city.
d) obtain lands north of Manchuria.

During her reign, Catherine the Great

a) granted economic rights to peasants in Russia.
b) granted political rights to peasants in Russia.
c) came to the aid of peasants who were rebelling against the
boyars.
d) allowed the boyars to increase their control of the peasants.

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Chapter 17, Section 5

Section 5 Assessment

Peter the Great was unable to

a) defeat Sweden and win lands along the Baltic Sea.
b) obtain a warm-water port for Russia.
c) build his new capital city.
d) obtain lands north of Manchuria.

During her reign, Catherine the Great

a) granted economic rights to peasants in Russia.
b) granted political rights to peasants in Russia.
c) came to the aid of peasants who were rebelling against the
boyars.
d) allowed the boyars to increase their control of the peasants.

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