Thirty Years' War and Louis XIV

Thirty Years’ War

• Religious tension fueled by the Peace of Augsburg sparked the Thirty Years' War.
• The Defenestration of Prague acted as a catalyst.
• The war was a conflict involving major European powers, including struggles over both religion and political power.
• France, under Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, sought to diminish Habsburg power, a key factor in their involvement.
• The Peace of Westphalia ended the war, shifting the balance of power.
• The war's impact on Germany was significant, including widespread devastation.

Louis XIV

• Louis XIV embodied absolutism, famously proclaiming "L'état c'est moi" (The state is me).
• Characteristics of an absolute monarch included centralized power and divine right.
• The Palace of Versailles served as a symbol of power, impacting the French nobility through lavish displays and social pressure.
• The economy suffered due to excessive spending and extravagant court life at Versailles.
• Louis XIV's administration involved restructuring the bureaucracy.
• The Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes, leading to religious persecution.
• Jean-Baptiste Colbert's policies focused on strengthening the French economy through mercantilist strategies and taxation.
• François Michel le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois, managed the French military and spearheaded warfare.
• Maintaining a European balance of power was a continual concern for Louis XIV.
• The French economy faced strain due to ongoing wars.
• The War of the Spanish Succession involved France and its Grand Alliance opponents.
• The Treaty of Utrecht concluded this conflict and significantly reshaped the political map, impacting French power.

Constitutionalism

• The Dutch Republic, also known as the Dutch Golden Age, presented an alternative to absolute monarchy, emphasizing republican ideals and commerce.
• Key aspects included wealth from trade, scientific advancements, as well as artistic achievements, including unique types of art flourishing in that time period.
• England's experience with constitutionalism involved a complex interplay of monarchical authority and parliamentary power.
• Magna Carta, Elizabeth I's reign, and the Stuart dynasty represent key stages in this process.
• Religious conflict and disputes over royal power shaped the reigns of James I, Charles I, and the English Civil War.
• The English Civil War, a conflict between Parliament and the Crown, ended the reign of Charles I.
• Cromwell's Protectorate and the Restoration under Charles II were significant steps in England's political development.
• James II's policies raised concerns about his legitimacy, ultimately leading to the Glorious Revolution.
• William and Mary accepted the English Bill of Rights, which established limitations on royal power and reinforced parliamentary sovereignty.
• The Hanover dynasty marked an evolution towards a limited constitutional monarchy, strengthening parliamentary influence.

Crisis of Late Middle Ages

• The Late Middle Ages were characterized by crises including a population decline caused by the Great Famine and the Black Death.
• These events led to significant economic hardship and social unrest, including widespread peasant revolts.
• The Hundred Years' War added to the instability of this time period.

Renaissance

• Petrarch, a key figure of the Renaissance, championed humanism.
• Renaissance art differed from earlier styles through its focus on humanism and realism.
• Renaissance art reflected the humanist emphasis on human potential, nature, and classical antiquity.
• Key Renaissance artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
• Renaissance thought emphasized the significance of the individual and challenged some of the Church traditions.
• A more secular worldview emerged, leading to more secular art and writings.
• The use of vernacular languages started gaining popularity alongside scholarly texts.

Northern Renaissance

• The Northern Renaissance saw the development of art and thought in the northern part of Europe, influenced but distinct from the Italian Renaissance.
• Gutenberg's invention of the printing press had a profound impact, making knowledge more accessible to a larger population.
• Christian humanism emerged as a major intellectual current.
• Key Christian humanists included Erasmus, who gained recognition with his "In Praise of Folly".
• Both northern and Italian Renaissance art had differences in subject matter.
• Northern Renaissance artists include Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Dürer.
• Northern Renaissance writers like Thomas More, known for "Utopia", and William Shakespeare.

Issues with the Catholic Church

• The sale of indulgences, a practice granting remission of penance, sparked criticism.

Martin Luther

• Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses challenged the Catholic Church's practices.
• He faced opposition from the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.
• Luther's ideas led to the Protestant Reformation.

Other Protestants

• John Calvin's theological system, known as Calvinism, exerted considerable influence.
• Calvinism emphasized key beliefs such as predestination, a theocratic structure, discipline, and strong emphasis on the Bible.

The Anglican Reformation

• King Henry VIII's desire for a divorce led to the establishment of the Church of England.
• This separated the English church from the authority of the Catholic Church.
• Key figures include Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I.
• Elizabeth I's Elizabethan Religious Settlement aimed to blend elements of both Catholic and Protestant traditions.

Counter-Reformation

• The Counter-Reformation was a period when the Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation is best characterized by the Church's efforts to strengthen its doctrines and practices.
• Includes the strengthening of the Inquisition, the creation of the Index of Forbidden Books, and the founding of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).

Age of Exploration

• The "3 Gs" (God, Gold, and Glory) motivated European exploration.
• Portugal's voyages aimed to establish trade routes and discover new lands, encountering hardships and facing challenges along the way.
• Christopher Columbus' voyages to the Americas led to new encounters between European and indigenous peoples.
• The rivalry between Spain and Portugal led to the Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas.
• The Age of Exploration had a significant negative impact through the Columbian Exchange, the slave trade, and the actions of conquistadors.

Centralizing Power in Spain

• Centralizing power in Spain involved measures such as consolidating royal authority, strengthening the monarchy's economic base, and the Church's strong role.
• Ferdinand and Isabella took steps to enhance royal power.
• Charles V, a powerful Holy Roman Emperor who also controlled Spain, faced challenges maintaining centralized control.

Centralizing Power in France

• Henry IV's reign was a pivotal moment, noted for the famous phrase "Paris is well worth a mass."
• The Edict of Nantes was issued, promoting a degree of religious tolerance for Huguenots.