Unit 3: Rise of the Nation-State and Royal Absolutism
1500s-1800: Absolute Monarchs and International Rivalries
The rise of nation-states and royal absolutism (ca. 1350-1800) took place in various ways in various countries. Even so, the motives were the same everywhere –
increased power of the king while the state attempts to become the strongest in Europe. In an effort to grow more powerful, countries sought to expand and gain land
and wealth. Meanwhile, they had to consolidate the power within the land area. In an effort to gain personal power the kings had to fight against many obstacles, for
those who already had power (nobles, church, etc.) did not wish to give it up, and tradition stood in their way as well These obstacles to absolutism they again
conquered in various ways to various extents. The chart below will help us to visualize this phenomenon in five major areas. Use your notes and/or the textbook to
complete this chart.
(World History: Patterns of Interaction - Chapters 4 and 5)
1. Royal Family(ies)
2. Important leaders
(2 of them)
3. Established Religion
4. Expansion – where?
5. Expansion – why?
H.R.E.
Power within the HRE
H.R.E.
Power within the HRE
Spain
1492-1650
England
1500-1649
Prussia
Holy Roman
Empire
1500-1750
France
1500-1715
Russia
1500-1800
Austria
6. Obstacles to Royal
Absolutism
1. Royal Family(ies)
2. Important leaders
(2 of them)
3. Established Religion
4. Expansion – where?
5. Expansion – why?
6. Obstacles to Royal
Absolutism
Catholic
New World
Spread Faith
Tradition
$$ Wealth = power
Nobles
Ferdinand &,
Isabella
Spain
1492-1650
Habsburg
Charles I (V)
Philip II
Tudor
England
1500-1649
Henry VII
Henry VIII
Elizabeth I
Anglican
New World
$$ Wealth = power
H.R.E.
Power
H.R.E.
Power
Stuart
Tradition
Magna Carta
Nobles
Parliament controls $$
James I
Charles I
Prussia
Holy Roman
Empire
1500-1750
Hohenzollern
Frederick
Frederick William
Lutheran
30 Years’ War
Austria
Habsburg
France
1500-1715
Maria Theresa
Joseph
300 Principalities
Catholic
Henry IV
Bourbon
Rurik
Russia
1500-1800
Junkers = Nobles
(Prussia)
Nobles
Catholic
Louis XIII
Louis XIV
Ivan the Great
Ivan the Terrible
Romanov
Spread Faith
$$ Wealth = power
Estates General
To Baltic Sea
Increase trade
Boyars = Nobles
To Black Sea
$$ Wealth = power
Across Asia
Russian Orthodox
Peter the Great
Catherine the
Great
New World