Absolutism in Spain & France Mr. Koch World History A Forest Lake High School
Jan 17, 2016
Absolutism in Spain & France
Mr. KochWorld History A
Forest Lake High School
Spain• Philip II– Centralized his power • made Spain most powerful in
Europe– Strongly Catholic • Enforced unity (fought Reformation)
• Ruled by “divine right” – Battled with Protestants in
Netherlands (fighting lasted for decades)
• Northern Protestants declared independence (Dutch Netherlands)
Spain • Philip II (cont’d)– Elizabeth I encouraged “sea dogs”
(i.e. Francis Drake) to plunder Spanish treasure ships
– 1588 Philip prepared armada to invade England (130+ ships)
• Was a disaster• Naval superiority began to dwindle• Power begins to decline
Spain• “Golden Age”– Painters• El Greco, Diego Velazquez
– Writers• Lope de Vega, Miguel de
Cervantes
France
• Was in upheaval from wars between Huguenots (Protestants) & Catholics
France
• Henry IV– Protestant converted to
Catholicism• (France mostly Catholic)
– Edict of Nantes (1598)• Religious toleration to Huguenots
– Wanted to improve people’s lives through royal absolutism
France
• Louis XIV– Inherited throne at age 5 • (took leadership around 23)
– “Fronde” – rebellion by nobles, merchants , peasants, & urban poor
– Believed in “divine right” • Sun was symbol for rule• Estates General never called
France• Louis XIV (cont’d)– Strengthened power through
bureaucracy and building strongest army in Europe • Also became wealthiest European state• Tried to expand borders – faced a lot of
resistance– Alliances try to maintain balance of power
– 1685 – revoked Edict of Nantes• Saw Huguenots as threat to
religious/political unity• Many fled – lost valuable members of
society
France• Versailles– Louis XIV built huge,
beautiful palace• Symbol of wealth/power• Home of king & seat of
government• Nobles lived there
– Less of a threat
– Louis XIV developed elaborate ceremonies• Also a major supporter of arts