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Absolutism in Eastern Europe

Absolutism in Eastern Europe. Austria, Prussia, and Russia. Monarchs were in “control” up to 1918 These monarchs will have a powerful impact on culture Architecture Arts. Unlike the West. Powerful Nobility Unlike the West- Nobles were able to suppress the serfs Weak Middle Class

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Absolutism in Eastern Europe

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  1. Absolutism in Eastern Europe

  2. Austria, Prussia, and Russia • Monarchs were in “control” up to 1918 • These monarchs will have a powerful impact on culture • Architecture • Arts

  3. Unlike the West • Powerful Nobility • Unlike the West- Nobles were able to suppress the serfs • Weak Middle Class • Oppressed Peasants-serfs

  4. Lords and Peasants in Eastern Europe

  5. Serfdom increases in the East • Lords created laws that restricted the free movement of peasants – run-a-ways in Prussia had their ears nailed to a post and given a knife to cut themselves free • Landlords took more and more of their land and increased labor obligations • Local lords were judge and jury

  6. Consolidation of Serfdom • Poland – Lords could inflict death • Prussia (1653 ) Hereditary subjugation • Russia – (1649) 9 year time limit on runaways was lifted

  7. Increase in Agriculture • As European economy expanded, the price of food increased • More peasants meant a surplus of local products were sold to foreign markets • Was it simply to develop of export markets?

  8. No effective Central Government • Political rather than economic factors were the difference in the status of serfs. • Identical developments caused opposite results in the west. • Local nobles held more power over weaker kings and increased their political demands • A king in the east was the first among equals • Nobles undermined cities power. Products were sold directly to foreign capitalists • Importance of urban middle class declined “ no more did town air make one free.”

  9. East as least and West as Best • Because of social inequalities and harsher economic conditions, the west perceived the east as barbaric and uncivilized. • Therefore the east was considered morally inferior which was eventually tied to ethnicity • The Ottomans

  10. The Rise of Austria and Prussia

  11. Toward a Central Government • Monarchs gained power in three key areas • Imposed and collected taxes without consent • Created standing armies • Conducted relations with foreign states as they pleased

  12. Austria and the Ottoman Turks • Devastated by the Thirty Years War • The loss made them turn inward • Established direct rule over Bohemia • The robot… 3 days a week of unpaid labor • Protestants were stamped out • 1683 – Ottomans are in retreat to the east the Habsburgs take Hungary

  13. The Pragmatic Sanction1713 • Habsburg land was divided into three fragile political entities • Austria • Bohemia • Hungary • Rakoczy- Revolt • Defeated 1703 All would be passed to a single heir. Hapsburgs . Hungary accepts Habsburg ruler but is never fully integrated into the Empire.

  14. Prussia in the 17th Century • The Elector of Brandenburg – had prestige to elect the Holy Roman Emperor, but no military power • Estates of princes’ were weakened by the Thirty Years War • Frederick William the “Great Elector” • Comes to power 1640

  15. Frederick William The Great Elector [r.1640-1688]

  16. The Junkers • Landowning nobles that had dominated Prussia • Frederick was not resisted in his drive toward absolutism by the nobles “they barked but did not bite” • Different than England which had moved to constitutionalism

  17. Frederick the Great Elector • Introduced permanent taxes without consent • Paid for a standing army • The size of the army grew ten-fold • Two major reasons for success • The invaders to the east demanded a consolidation of forces • Allowed the nobles to continue their rights and privileges over the peasants, but the royal authorities could tax the townspeople

  18. Frederick the Ostentatious1688-1713 • Weak in mind and body • Man crush on Louis XIV • Luxury and petty tyranny

  19. Frederick William I“ The Soldier King”1713-1740 • Prussian war psychology- cult of the military- with the Junkers as officers • Best and strongest soldiers • “Dog eat dog” view of world politics • Violent temper – immediate and severe punishments • Obsession for tall soldiers

  20. The Prussian Military • Grows from 38,000 to 83,000 • Amazing discipline and precision • Although ready for war, he was usually at peace • Tall males were recruited

  21. Replaces the Estates with bureaucracy • Frederick was austere which made his country economically conscientious • Ministers were honest and fair

  22. Russia • It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma … Winston Churchill

  23. The Mongol Yoke • Russia was forced to pay tribute • The Greatest prince was the one that paid the most money • Ivan I – “money bags”(r1328-1341) • Collects taxes for the Mongols • Ivan III (r 1462 – 1505) Muscovite princes’ gain authority • Ivan III stops acknowledging Mongols • Fall of Constantinople – holy Russia 1480

  24. Ivan the Terrible(IV) • R. 1533-1584 • Turns west against the Poland and Lithuanian state • Destroys leading Boyars with secret police • Purges many other elements of society • Greater oppression of the serfs • All were servants of the Prince

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