Chapter 14 – Crisis and Absolutism in Europe

Chapter 14 Summary Wars of the 16 th century pitted Protestants against Catholics.  From 1560 to 1650, wars and economic and social crises plagued Europe. European monarchs sought economic and political stability through absolutism and the divine right of kings.  The people become concerned with order and power

Wars of the 16 th century pitted Protestants against Catholics. 

From 1560 to 1650, wars and economic and social crises plagued Europe.

European monarchs sought economic and political stability through absolutism and the divine right of kings. 

The people become concerned with order and power

Mary & Elizabeth Tutor

The French Wars of Religion Calvinism and Catholicism had become militant (combative) religions by 1560.  Their struggle for converts and against each other was the main cause The Huguenots were French Protestants influenced by John Calvin.  Huguenots = 7% of the pop. But 50% of nobility, including the house of Bourbon

Calvinism and Catholicism had become militant (combative) religions by 1560. 

Their struggle for converts and against each other was the main cause

The Huguenots were French Protestants influenced by John Calvin. 

Huguenots = 7% of the pop. But 50% of nobility, including the house of Bourbon

Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre Ultra Catholics Vs. Huguenots (Calvinistic Protestants)

The French Wars of Religion (cont.) Townspeople were willing to help nobles weaken the monarchy - became a base of opposition against the Catholic king.  Civil war raged for 30 years until in 1589, Henry of Navarre, leader of the Huguenots, succeeded to the throne as Henry IV. He issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598.  It recognized Catholicism as France’s official religion, but gave the Huguenots the right to worship

Townspeople were willing to help nobles weaken the monarchy - became a base of opposition against the Catholic king. 

Civil war raged for 30 years until in 1589, Henry of Navarre, leader of the Huguenots, succeeded to the throne as Henry IV.

He issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598. 

It recognized Catholicism as France’s official religion, but gave the Huguenots the right to worship

Coronation of Henry IV

Henry of Navarre becomes Henry IV French King – converts to Catholicism

Phillip II and Militant Catholicism King Philip II of Spain was the greatest supporter of militant Catholicism.  He ruled from 1556 to 1598, period of greatness in Spain. Strict adherence to Catholicism and support for the monarchy.  Spain - the nation God chose to save Catholic Christianity from the Protestant heretics.

King Philip II of Spain was the greatest supporter of militant Catholicism. 

He ruled from 1556 to 1598, period of greatness in Spain.

Strict adherence to Catholicism and support for the monarchy. 

Spain - the nation God chose to save Catholic Christianity from the Protestant heretics.

Philip II of Spain * “The Most Catholic King”

Philip – tried to use marriage as a political tool. Married Mary (England) – Liz’s sister

1554 Shillilng – Philip & Mary

Spain was the world’s most populous empire when Philip’s reign ended in 1598.  It seemed a great power, but in reality Philip had bankrupted the country by spending too much on war.  Real power shifted to England. Phillip II and Militant Catholicism (cont.)

Spain was the world’s most populous empire when Philip’s reign ended in 1598. 

It seemed a great power, but in reality Philip had bankrupted the country by spending too much on war. 

Real power shifted to England.

The England of Elizabeth Elizabeth Tudor ascended to the throne of England in 1558.  During her reign, this small island became the leader of the Protestant nations and laid the foundation for becoming a world empire. She tried to keep France and Spain from becoming too powerful by supporting first one and then the other, balancing their power. 

Elizabeth Tudor ascended to the throne of England in 1558. 

During her reign, this small island became the leader of the Protestant nations and laid the foundation for becoming a world empire.

She tried to keep France and Spain from becoming too powerful by supporting first one and then the other, balancing their power. 

Video: A princess becomes a queen

Page 433 – Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Speech

The Spanish Armada!

The England of Elizabeth (cont.) In 1588, Spain sent an armada –a fleet of warships–to invade England.  Yet the fleet that sailed had neither the manpower nor the ships to be victorious.  The Spanish fleet was battered in numerous encounters and finally sailed home by a northward route around Scotland and Ireland, where storms sank many ships.

In 1588, Spain sent an armada –a fleet of warships–to invade England. 

Yet the fleet that sailed had neither the manpower nor the ships to be victorious. 

The Spanish fleet was battered in numerous encounters and finally sailed home by a northward route around Scotland and Ireland, where storms sank many ships.

Elizabeth I Defeats Spanish

The Defeat of the Spanish Armada

Defeat of the Armada

What makes a King or Queen Strong? What makes them a respected and powerful ruler?