Ch.

14 Crisis &
Absolutism in Europe
p. 452
Part 1 p. 454 Europe in Crisis: The Wars of Religion
1500’s-1600’s= Catholic VS Protestant; Calvinists & Catholics
became militant and aggressive in winning converts.
 Spain: King Philip II of Spain was greatest supporter of militant
Catholicism.
 FIRST-he tried to unite the lands his father, Charles V, had acquired.
 (Spain, Netherlands, & parts of Italy & Americas). He also DEMANDED conformity to
Catholicism.
 RESISTANCE to Philip/Spain: Nobles in the Netherlands resisted the forcing of Catholicism
and the violence that Philip brought. These areas united and were named the Netherlands.
 Protestantism in England: Elizabeth Tudor-leader of protestant nations; she tried to
maintain a balance of power between Spain, France, & England. If one became to powerful,
she would support the other.

 Defeat of Spanish Armada: (fleet of warships); Spain invaded England but was sent home with
NO victory. This shifted power to France/England.
French Wars of Religion: most shattering in Europe in 1500’s; French
kings persecuted Protestants; didn’t stop the spread of it, though.

 Huguenots: French Protestants influenced by

Calvin. Only 7% of population were Huguenots,
but 40-50% of Huguenots were NOBLES.
POWERFUL THREAT TO THE CROWN. Faced off
against ultra-Catholics
 Henry IV (Huguenot leader) & the Edict of
Nantes: brought Peace; recognized Catholicism
as official religion in France; gave Huguenots
the right to worship & enjoy all political
privileges of holding public offices.
STOP
Part 2 P. 458 Social Crises, War, & Revolution: LOTS happening—Holy
Roman Empire-devastated; France dominates, England’s King VS England’s
parliament led to civil war=CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCY

 Economic Crisis:
 Inflation: rising prices due to higher demand of products
due to increase in population.
 Spain’s economy was dependent on silver and less was
being mined
 Witchcraft Crisis:
 More than 100,000 charged with witchcraft in Europe
 More than 75% accused were women
30 years’ war: Peace of Augsburg—FROM Ch. 12--agreement
formally accepted division of Christianity between Lutheran and catholic in
Germany. However, ignored Calvinists. This ignoring of Calvinists caused 30
year war.

 Cause: Religious power being asserted

between Catholics and Calvinists AND
territorial motives by ALL European
countries (except England). (Expansion)
 Effects: Germany-plundered and
destroyed
Peace of Westphalia, ended 30
years’ war, divided 300 states of the Holy
Roman Empire & gave them independence
and ability to determine their own
religion and foreign policy.
Revolutions in England: KING vs. Parliament (power)
 Stuarts & Divine Right: Q Eliz I died in 1603 with no heirs; Tudor Dynasty ended; She named her Scottish
Cousin, James I, to the English throne. (Stuart Dynasty) James believed he had the divine right of kings
(power from God)
 Puritans (Inspired by Calvinist ideas) DISAGREED
 Charles I of England (James’ son) at first allowed Parliament to say no taxes could be passed without Parliament’s
consent. He changed his mind on this, though…how do you think that went over with English citizens?
 Civil War & Commonwealth
 Cavaliers: (aka royalists) supporters of the King
 Roundheads: parliamentary forces (called this due to their haircuts)
 Oliver Cromwell: military genius who helped parliament be victorious; Cromwell dispelled all members of Parliament who didn’t
agree with him (supporters of Cromwell now named the Rump Parliament) he had Charles I executed; declared England a
republic or commonwealth; Parliament soon was disbanded by Cromwell; he set up a military dictatorship

 Restoration: Cromwell died in 1658 & power was again balanced with Parliament; Catholic (King James II)
vs. Protestant CONTINUED to be a source of conflict.
 Glorious Revolution: James’ daughter and her husband, William of Orange (France), said they were going
to overthrow the King. He found out, fled England, and a peaceful change of power occurred. Parliament
named William of Orange and Mary the King/Queen.
STOP
Part 3. Response to Crisis: Absolutism: a reaction to instability is
giving A ruler absolute power; idea also tied to divine right of
kings; What happens if King isn’t an effective leader?
 France under Louis XIV: an absolute monarch can make laws, levy taxes, administer justice,
control officials, determine foreign policy. Versailles—his palace and playground of the nobility
 Louis XIV only a child when he ascended to the throne; advisers ruled France. READ p. 465
(primary source)
When his advisors died, he was able to rule peacefully be distracting nobles with court life
out of politics.
He also bribed important locals in the provinces to make sure his policy was carried out.
Tried to restore Catholic rule by converting Huguenots. Many fled (some to America
George Washington)
When Louis died, he left France plagued with debt from the army and lavish spending to keep the
nobles happy.

https://www.biography.com/video/louis-xiv-versailles-22732867769
Absolutism in Central & Eastern Europe: After the 30
years’ war, over 300 German states; Prussia & Austria emerged.
 Prussia: Frederick William the Great Elector;
raised 4th largest army in Europe.
 Austria: German Hapsburgs had lost Germany but
created a new empire; absolutism did not reign in
Austria because there were so many different
groups (Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia, etc); hard
to unite.
 Russia: Ivan the IV (Ivan the Terrible) became the
first names Czar; crushed the power of the
Russian nobility or boyars. After Ivan died—Time
of Troubles or anarchy followed. Michael
Romanov was selected as new czar in 1613.
Michael and Peter the Great, a later czar, were
absolute monarchists. Peter was interested in the
west (Europe). He established a new city: St.
Petersburg
STOP
Part 4:The World of European Culture: art &
literature reflected the attitude toward absolutism
 Mannerism: people grew more anxious & uncertain, which led to an end of the renaissance.
Mannerism showed more suffering, heightened emotions, and religious joy.
 Baroque: followed mannerism; reflected a search for power; Bernini-most famous; St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome.

 Shakespeare: England; drama; Elizabethan Literature

 Cervantes: Spain; Don Quixote

Polticial Thought: concerns with order &
power
 Hobbes: alarmed by upheaval in England; wrote
Leviathan; humans are guided by self-
preservation; rebellion must be suppressed.
 Locke: Two Treatises of Government; all humans
had natural rights: life, liberty, & property.
Declaration of Independence & Constitution
based upon his beliefs.