The Age of Absolutism

1. The Age of Absolutism Philip II and Elizabeth I

2. Introduction • European monarchs were becoming powerful • kingdoms where everyone had to answer to the king/queen • Absolutism: monarch has total control and power • Economic, war, domestic and foreign affairs • Divine right: belief that monarchs receive their power directly from God - justified by God • Goal: Unify diverse people and bring greater efficiency and control

3. The Hapsburgs • Hapsburgs: most powerful royal family in Europe • After King Charles V abdicated the thrown the lands scattered so: • Ferdinand (Charles V brother) • Holy Roman Emperor, controlled central Europe (today Germany) • Philip II (Charles V son) • Controlled Spain, the Netherlands, and overseas empires

4. Spain • Philip II: ruled from 1556-1598 • Most powerful monarch in Spanish history • Saw himself as the leading defender of Catholicism • Enemy of all protestant countries • Caused many wars trying to spread Hapsburg power • 1567: Tried to force Catholicism on the Netherlands • Protestant rebellion was supported by England

5. The End of the Spanish Hapsburgs • After Philip II, Spanish power declined • Economy poorly maintained due to inept leaders • Still received a lot of gold from its colonies, but spent more than it received • Inflation grew and industry and agriculture declined • Kicked out Muslims and Jews—for religious reasons—they were the skilled merchants and artisans • Series of corrupt and incompetent leaders • Overtaxed its citizens and much of the empire rebelled • Charles II was the last of the Spanish Hapsburgs

6. England • Tudor dynasty led from 1485-1603 • Not as absolute: parliament and courts of law (magna carta) • Henry VII: first Tudor - took control after War of the Roses • Henry VIII: second Tudor to reign – most powerful Tudor ruler • Turmoil after Henry VIII died: • Edward VI: Young and short reign • Mary I: Catholic, “Bloody Mary” • Married Philip II of Spain, Burned protestants at the stake, died childless • Elizabeth I: queen in 1558

7. Elizabeth I • Very popular with the English people • Her reign was one of England’s highest cultural periods • She never married – distrusted other European monarchs and wanted to avoid conflict with nobility • During Elizabeth’s reign she set up a hierarchy of social rank in English society

8. Spanish Armada • Reasons Spain attacked England: • England support Dutch rebellion • England was protestant and saw Elizabeth as illegitimate ruler • England supported pirate raids on Spanish ships • 1588 Spain sends 130 ships (Spanish Armada) to invade England

9. Spanish Armada Continued • Armada got “stuck” in the English channel • Spanish crescent formation difficult to defeat • English had faster, more maneuverable ships and better cannons • English use fire ships to destroy the Spanish formation • Severe weather destroyed remainder of fleet during retreat • Defeat of Spanish Armada is the beginning of Spain’s decline as a major power

11. Think, Pair, Share • Take 5 minutes to write down what kind of ruler Elizabeth was, any thoughts you had about the speech and any part that you found interesting.

12. Elizabeth I • Video