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Absolute Monarchs in Europe, 1500–1800
Previewing Main Ideas
POWER AND AUTHORITY As feudalism declined, stronger national kingdoms in Spain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia emerged under the control of absolute rulers.
Geography Study the map. What large empire was surrounded by many of these national kingdoms?

ECONOMICS Absolute rulers wanted to control their countries’ economies sothat they could free themselves from limitations imposed by the nobility. In France, Louis XIV’s unrestrained spending left his country with huge debts. Geography What other evidence of unrestrained spending by an absolute ruler does the time line suggest? REVOLUTION In Great Britain, Parliament and the British people challenged the monarch’s authority. The overthrow of the king led to importantpolitical changes.
Geography Study the map and the time line. Which British Stuart lands were most affected by the event occurring in 1649?

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What are thebenefits and drawbacks of having an absolute ruler?
You live under the most powerful monarch in 17th-century Europe, Louis XIV of France, shown below. As Louis’s subject, you feel proud and well protected because the French army is the strongest in Europe. But Louis’s desire to gain lands for France and battle enemies has resulted in costly wars. And he expects you and his other subjects to payfor them.

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Louis XIV uses his clothing to demonstrate his power and status, as his portrait shows. The gold flower on his robe is the symbol of French kings.

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Louis’s love of finery is apparent not only in his clothing but also in the ornate setting for this painting. As absolute ruler, Louis imposes taxes to pay for the construction of a magnificent new palace and to financewars.

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The government of Louis XIV enforces laws and provides security. His sword, scepter, and crown symbolize the power he wields. Yet the French people have no say in what laws are passed or how they are enforced.

EXAM I N I NG

the

ISSU ES

• What might people gain from having a ruler whose power is total, or absolute? • What factors might weaken the power of an absolutemonarch?

As a class, discuss these questions. You may want to refer to earlier rulers, such as those of the Roman, Ottoman, and Carolingian empires. As you read about absolute monarchs in Europe, notice what strengthened and weakened their power.

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Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism
MAIN IDEA
ECONOMICS During a time of religious and economic instability, Philip IIruled Spain with a strong hand.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW
When faced with crises, many heads of government take on additional economic or political powers.

TERMS & NAMES
• Philip II • absolute monarch • divine right

SETTING THE STAGE As you learned in Chapter 18, from 1520 to 1566,

Suleyman I exercised great power as sultan of the Ottoman Empire. A European monarch of the same period,Charles V came close to matching Suleyman’s , power. As the Hapsburg king, Charles inherited Spain, Spain’s American colonies, parts of Italy, and lands in Austria and the Netherlands. As the elected Holy Roman emperor, he ruled much of Germany. It was the first time since Charlemagne that a European ruler controlled so much territory.

A Powerful Spanish Empire
A devout Catholic, Charles not onlyfought Muslims but also opposed Lutherans. In 1555, he unwillingly agreed to the Peace of Augsburg, which allowed German princes to choose the religion for their territory. The following year, Charles V divided his immense empire and retired to a monastery. To his brother Ferdinand, he left Austria and the Holy Roman Empire. His son, Philip II, inherited Spain, the Spanish Netherlands, and the...