Turning Point - Age of Absolutism
In the 17th and 18th centuries (1450-1750), the Age of Absolutism describes a period of European history in which monarchs successfully gathered the wealth and power of the state to themselves. Absolute monarchy or absolutism meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by God also known as divine right. When a single leader governed a nation single-handedly, he or she was said to be an absolute leader and absolutism existed. Monarchies encourage the spread of nationalism which was sometimes taken to extremes. For instance, religious conflicts broke out such as those between Protestants and Catholics. Internal warfare between a monarch and the noble class was also very common. Battles also commonly resulted from trade-related clashes between nations. At the start of this time period Spain reigned supreme with a powerful navy and vast empire. Later on, however, the power shifted to two rivaling powers-in-the-making: France and Britain.
Some absolute monarchs lasted until the beginning of the 20th century, such as Russia's Tsar Nicholas II who was overthrown in 1917 and replaced by a communist dictatorship and Russia became known as the Soviet Union until 1991.
France
Louis XIV, the French King is the poster image of the absolute monarch (pictured below). When he said "L'etat c'est moi" (I am the state) he was to a great extent correct. France was powerful and prosperous and represented that which all European monarchs aspired to. The Peace of Westphalia (1648) established France as a major global power under Louis XIV 's. Louis was the self-proclaimed "Sun king" and "most Christian king." (This was a way to legitimize his rule). Louis encouraged French/arts and culture and inspired later French philosphers.
Spain
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella encouraged and funded many voyages of exploration and built up a substantial naval fleet to protect their new colonies and trade routes. Spain experienced further growth under Charles V who held lands in parts of France, Austria. The Netherlands and Germany. Charles favored Catholicism over Protestantism. His son Philip II succeeded him as the ruler of Spain.
England/Britain
Under the Tudor family (Henry VIII), England experienced fairly peaceful, prosperous times. After Edward VI’s rule, Queen Elizabeth took over rule of England. The Elizabethan Age promoted great exploration and expansion. Disputes over taxation ensued under the reign of James I and Charles I. Conflicts also emerged between the Puritans and Anglicans. Puritan Oliver Cromwell executed King Charles I and ruled as “Protector of the state”. Following Cromwell, Charles I’s sons Charles II and James II regained rule over England. In the Glorious Revolution William and Mary of the Netherlands ruled England with limited powers, granting Parliament greater control of the nation. This cooperative effort led to an ear of peace and prosperity in England.
Russia
Until 1905, the Czars of Russia also governed as absolute monarchs.
Ivan the Terrible
Russia never had a period of “Renaissance” (rebirth), but maintained feudalism under an absolute monarch. Ivan the Terrible greatly expanded the Russian empire where he was known for his brutal conquering tactics (hence the name). Also, no merchant class developed in Russia because Ivan controlled all trade enterprises.
Peter I the Great
Peter the Great reduced the power of the nobility and strengthened the central power of the Czar, establishing a bureaucracy, built a navy, and created a police state. He started to westernize Russia.
Catherine the Great
This tradition of absolutism, known as the tsarist absolutism, was built on by Catherine II the Great and other later Tsars. Catherine believed education was a key to a country's success. She added a warm water port for Russian trade. This was important since Russia's ports were frozen in the winter and it needed a warm water port in order to trade with other nations. She continued Peter the Great's tradition of westernizing Russia.
Other Monarchs:
Although Alexander II made some reforms and established an independent judicial system, Russia did not have a representative assembly or a constitution until the 1905 Revolution. However, the concept of absolutism was so ingrained in Russia that the Russian Constitution of 1906 still described the tsar as an absolute ruler. Still, Russia became the last European country to abolish absolutism and the only one to do it as late as in the 20th century.
Prussia
In Prussia (which is not Russia, it's actually part of Germany & Poland now), Frederick the Great ruled fairly and well. He claimed to be the most enlightened ruler of Europe and practiced religious toleration (gave equal rights to Protestants and Catholics) and better rights for serfs. Under Frederick advancements in technology and agriculture occurred and new trade opportunities arose (especially luxury goods).
