Unit 3: Rise of the Nation-State and Royal Absolutism

1500s-1800: Absolute Monarchs and International Rivalries

The rise of nation-states and royal absolutism (ca. 1350-1800) took place in various ways in various countries. Even so, the motives were the same everywhere – increased power of the king while the state attempts to become the strongest in Europe. In an effort to grow more powerful, countries sought to expand and gain land and wealth. Meanwhile, they had to consolidate the power within the land area. In an effort to gain personal power the kings had to fight against many obstacles, for those who already had power (nobles, church, etc.) did not wish to give it up, and tradition stood in their way as well These obstacles to absolutism they again conquered in various ways to various extents. The chart below will help us to visualize this phenomenon in five major areas. Use your notes and/or the textbook to complete this chart.

istoryH(World History: Patterns of Interaction - Chapters 4 and 5)

1. Royal Family(ies) / 2. Important leaders (2 of them) / 3. Established Religion / 4. Expansion – where? / 5. Expansion – why? / 6. Obstacles to Royal Absolutism
Spain
1492-1650
England
1500-1649
Holy Roman Empire
1500-1750 / Prussia / H.R.E. / Power within the HRE
Austria / H.R.E. / Power within the HRE
France
1500-1715
Russia
1500-1800
1. Royal Family(ies) / 2. Important leaders (2 of them) / 3. Established Religion / 4. Expansion – where? / 5. Expansion – why? / 6. Obstacles to Royal Absolutism
Spain
1492-1650 / Habsburg / Ferdinand &, Isabella
Charles I (V)
Philip II / Catholic / New World / Spread Faith
$$ Wealth = power / Tradition
Nobles
England
1500-1649 / Tudor
Stuart / Henry VII
Henry VIII
Elizabeth I
James I
Charles I / Anglican / New World / $$ Wealth = power / Tradition
Magna Carta
Nobles
Parliament controls $$
Holy Roman Empire
1500-1750 / Prussia
Hohenzollern / Frederick
Frederick William / Lutheran / H.R.E. / Power / Junkers = Nobles (Prussia)
30 Years’ War
300 Principalities
Austria
Habsburg / Maria Theresa
Joseph / Catholic / H.R.E. / Power
France
1500-1715 / Bourbon / Henry IV
Louis XIII
Louis XIV / Catholic / New World / Spread Faith
$$ Wealth = power / Nobles
Estates General
Russia
1500-1800 / Rurik
Romanov / Ivan the Great
Ivan the Terrible
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great / Russian Orthodox / Across Asia
To Baltic Sea
To Black Sea / Increase trade
$$ Wealth = power / Boyars = Nobles