Unit 3 Land-Based Empires

Take a minute and list two possible characteristics of an absolute monarch

What is an Absolute Monarchy?

• An Absolute Monarchy is a system of government in which the power of the government is held by one hereditary figure

The Ten Characteristics of an Absolute Monarch

• Protect and Expand the State
• Maintain Public Order
• Controlling the Nobility
• Divine Right
• Promote Economic Growth

The Ten Characteristics of an Absolute Monarch

• Maintain an Independent Source of Revenue
• Develop Nationalism
• Inspire Loyalty
• Use the Power of the Law
• Establish a Sense of Purpose

Protect and Expand the State

• An absolute monarch takes steps to defend their kingdom by creating an army
• They also seek to expand their kingdom through conquest or by extending their influence

Maintain Public Order

• An absolute monarch attempts to avoid uprisings and rebellions by force or by compromising with their citizens

Controlling the Nobility

• An absolute monarch must find a way to gain the trust and support of the noble families
• The monarch tries to limit the power of the nobles in order to increase their own power

Divine Right

• Power to rule comes from God

Promote Economic Growth

• An absolute monarch uses economic principles to increase the nation’s wealth
• This may include trade, colonial expansion, or advancements in technology or education within their own country

Maintain an Independent Source of Income

• An absolute monarch maintains their own source of income that they can spend on their own projects
• This may be through private ownership of land/investment, royal colonies, or royal taxation

Develop Nationalism

• An absolute monarch attempts to increase a strong emotional attachment to the nation through positive imagery, national anthems, or military successes

Inspire Loyalty

• An absolute monarch is able to convince the citizens to have a sense of loyalty to them

Use the Power of the Law

• An absolute monarch uses police forces, military forces and the court systems to their advantage and to achieve their goals

Establish a Sense of Purpose

• An absolute monarch creates a sense of purpose within their nation
• Examples might be religious defense, expansion, or creating a trade network

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS IN SPAIN

Spain’s Power

• By the 1500s, Spain had emerged as the first modern European power
• Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand had rid the area of Muslim rulers and enforced unity
• They also funded Columbus
• Dominate sea power until the 1600s (thenDutch, English, French)

Charles V

• In 1519, Charles V inherited the crown
• Was in control of Spain and the Austrian Hapsburgs

Why was this hard to control?

It was spread out

Charles V

• Cnstant warfare over religion and with the Ottomans
• He was Catholic and wanted to suppress the Protestant movement, but he was unsuccessful

Charles V

• He gave his son, Philip II, Spain and the overseas Spanish empire
• The Philippines are named after him

Philip II and Divine Right

• Philip II wanted to expand Spanish influence, strengthen the Catholic Church, and make his own power absolute
• Spain was the foremost power in Europe, much in part from the silver in the Americas

Philip II and Divine Right

• He asserted that he ruled by divine right
• Philip saw himself as the guardian of the Roman Catholic Church. He enforced religious unity.

He Married Mary I

The Wars of Philip II

• By the 1580s, Philip saw England’s Queen Elizabeth I as his Protestant enemy.
• Sent his armada to fight her but lost, beginning of the decline

Absolute Monarchs in England

Elizabeth I

• Elizabeth I supported the Dutch independence from Spain
• She encouraged Sea Dogs to plunder Spanish treasure ships
• Francis Drake looted Spanish cities in the Americas. Elizabeth I made him a knight

Henry VIII

• Wanted annulment from wife (Catherine) to marry Anne Boleyn to have a son
• Catholic church refused so he created the Church of England (or Anglican Church) with some protestant beliefs
• More politically driven than faith

Absolute Monarchs in France

Louis XIV

• Took power in 1643 at the age of 5
• At 18 takes absolute power and became the "Sun King"
• Built largest standing army at that time (300,000)
• Finished Versailles through high taxes

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“Just like sun sits in center of universe, so do I stand at center of nation.”