Crisis and Absolutism in Europe

1. Crisis and Absolutism in Europe 1550-1715

2. French Wars of Religion • Calvinism and Catholicism had become militant religions. Why? • French Wars of Religion • Huguenots were French Protestants and a powerful threat to the crown. • Catholic majority greatly outnumbered them. • Ultra-Catholics • Strongly opposed the Huguenots • Conflict lasted for over thirty years. • Henry IV took the throne. • Political leader of the Huguenots but converted to Catholicism. • He issued the Edict of Nantes • Recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France, but gave Huguenots the right to worship and to political privileges.

3. Spain’s Conflicts • Philip II – Greatest supporter of militant Catholicism. • Goals: • Consolidate lands • Strict conformity to Catholicism • Absolute monarchy • The “Most Catholic King” was both a success and failure at championing the Catholic faith. • He sought to strengthen his control over the Spanish Netherlands as well. • Nobles of this area greatly resented this. • Outraged people by trying to end Calvinism. • William, the prince of Orange, helped to end his attempted domination of this area. • He had left Spain bankrupt with an out dated army, and an inefficient government.

4. Economic and Social Crisis • From 1560 to 1650, Europe experienced a severe economic and social crisis. Due to: • Inflation • Smaller amounts of available gold and silver • Growing population • The religious zeal that led to the Inquisition and the hunt for heretics was extended to the belief in witchcraft.

5. Thirty Years’ War • Religious disputes continued in Germany after the Peace of Augsburg. • The war began in 1618 in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. • Catholics – Led by Hapsburg Holy Roman emperors. • Protestants – Led by Calvinist nobles. • However, France got involved which turned the war into a political conflict. Several major European powers did… • Conflict lasted for more than thirty years, but ended with the Peace of Westphalia. • All German states could determine their own religion. • The more than 300 states that made up the Holy Roman Empire became independent states.

6. Revolutions In England

7. Revolution in England • Complaints grew until England slipped into Civil War. Adversaries were: • Cavaliers – Supporters of the King, Charles I • Roundheads – Supporters of Parliament • Parliament was successful due to the assistance of the New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell. • “Rump Parliament” soon took over. • Executed Charles I • Abolished both the monarchy and the House of Lords • England was now a commonwealth.

8. Revolution in England

9. The Restoration • Charles II is restored to absolute power after the death of Cromwell. • Parliament and the monarchy begin to have disputes over the religious beliefs. • Parliament passes the Exclusion Bill: • Would have barred James II from the throne. • Created two groups: Whigs and Tories • Charles II dismisses Parliament, and then upon his death James II takes the throne.

10. The Glorious Revolution

11. English Bill of Rights • Gave Parliament more power than the monarchy. • Right to make laws and levy taxes • Armies could only be raised with their approval • Citizens had the right to bear arms and a jury trial • Created a freely elected Parliament • Laid the foundation for a limited, constitutional monarchy.

12. Writing Assignment • The Board of Directors at the Louvre art museum in Paris have a new project in mind. They hope to create a memorial in honor of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV. You are a member of the Board of Trustees, who decide on whether or not projects are funded. Each trustee must compose a letter in favor of the memorial or opposing the construction of the memorial. If the majority agree, the project will move forward.