Age of Absolutism: Charles V and Philip II

Age of Absolutism

• Absolutism occurred during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, monarchs ruled with total absolute control during this time.

Charles V

• Considered number "2", Charles V ruled over 2 empires and faced 2 major issues.
• Charles V, as Monarch of Spain and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, supported the Catholic Church and opposed the Protestant Reformation.
• Conflicts in German lands and the Ottoman Empire's expansion towards the Holy Roman Empire was an issue.
• There was significant conflict between Protestants and Catholics throughout his empire.
• He began to impose taxes, particularly in the Netherlands, despite it being a wealthy region.
• Charles V was the last emperor crowned by the Pope and harbored hatred for both Protestants and warfare.

Philip II

• Philip II defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Laponto, increasing Spanish power and gaining control of the Mediterranean.
• His major goal was to defend the Catholic Church.
• Spain experienced its Golden Age from 1550 to 1650.

Henry IV

• Henry IV, aimed to stop the war between Huguenots and Catholics.
• Married a Medici and had ties to Italy.
• He established the first banking system in Europe and married into the wealthy Medici family.
• Henry IV changed his religion from Huguenot to Catholicism.
• He believed it would be easier to rule since the majority of the country was Catholic.
• Huguenots were upset by Henry IV's conversion.
• Catholics did not fully support him.
• Henry IV passed the Edict of Nantes, ending persecution against Huguenots in France and the religious wars for a short period.
• But Henry IV was stabbed by a Catholic.

Louis XIII

• Louis XIII was the son of Henry IV and became king at 9 years old.
• Cardinal Richelieu served as Louis XIII's chief minister, doing all the work as king until Louis XIII came of age.
• This demonstrated the Catholic Church's increasing power in France.

Louis XIV

• Louis XIV, the brother of Louis XIII, became king at 5 years old.
• Cardinal Mazarin showed power in the Catholic Church.
• Ultimate authority was held by the church until Mazarin's death when Louis XIV turned 23.
• Louis XIV began ruling at 23 years old and wanted to rule as an absolute monarch which angered Nobles.
• Louis XIV allowed commoners to join the government in high positions, increasing his popularity and limiting the authority of others.
• A patron of the arts, he desired France to be recognized as the wealthiest and most powerful country in Europe.
• The Palace of Versailles was created and nobles were invited to reside there.
• Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, leading to the renewed persecution of Huguenots.
• He viewed Huguenots as a threat to France and wanted Catholic faith to be the only faith in the country.
• This led to many Huguenots fleeing from France and seeking refuge in Huguenot-led countries, which hurt France’s economy.
• Other countries changed the way that they viewed France.

England

• The Tudor family's bloodline ran out, but had a positive relationship with parliament.
• The Steward family (cousins of the Tudor family) took over and did not like parliament because they believed that they were meant to be rulers.
• Some kings did not even allow parliament to meet and disliking the parliament made them unpopular with his people.

Charles I

• Charles I ruled as an autocrat with complete authority.
• He needed money to fight the war against the Scots, who were in a rebellion.
• He raised taxes on his people because the country needed funding, which made him unpopular.
• Charles recalled the parliament, which became known as the long parliament (lasted for 20 years).
• Long Parliament began to delay making the laws and taxes to stay longer, knowing that Charles I would kick them out once their job was over.
• Parliament executes some of the king's ministers.
• Parliament raised its own army called the people's army (commoners), and the king also raised an army.
• It led to an English Civil War.
• Jayden Choi led the people's army to victory.