AP Euro chapter 15
Scandinavia in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
witnessed Sweden become a second-rate power after the Great Northern War.
As Louis XIII's chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu was most successful in strengthening the central role of the monarchy in domestic and foreign policy.
-eliminated political/military right of Huguenots, but allowed them religious privileges, making them more reliable subjects -acted cautiously with the influential French nobility -developed a network of spies to uncover noble plots and crushing conspiracies, eliminating a major threat to royal authority -sent out intendants (royal officials) to provinces to execute orders of central government. Intendants strengthened power of the crown.
Louis XIV restructured the administration of the French government by all of the following
-personally dominating the actions of his ministers and secretaries. -adding loyal followers from relatively new aristocratic families to the royal council. -making the court a main arena where rival aristocratic factions jockeyed for power. -using Versailles as a place where powerful subjects came to find favors and offices for themselves and their supporters.
"military revolution" (1560-1660)
By 17th century, war played an important role and military power was essential to a ruler's reputation&power. New military techniques identified with the military revolution: -standing armies based upon conscription. -increased use of the musket and bayonet. -larger sailing ships, known as "ships of the line." -the education of officers in military schools. Large armies/navies needed heavier taxes, making war a greater economic burden and important part
***Peter the Great: His program of Europeanization was predominantly technical and aimed at his realm (Russia)
Goal to create a strong army/navy and the acquisition of new territory to make Russia a great power. Made a trip to the West, admired European technology, wanted to transplant to Russia to give him the army/navy he needed to make Russia a great power. 25 years of peasants to build a standing army of 210,000 men. Formed first Russian navy. Reorganized central gov. Increased military offices. Create nobility based on merit. Benefited women.
The chief reason for the wars of Louis XIV was his desire to insure the dominance of France in all Europe.
Increase in royal power and desire for military glory led Louis to wage war. Made war a continuous activity of his reign. To achieve prestige and military glory benefitting the Sun King as well as to ensure the domination of his Bourbon dynasty over European affairs, Louis wages 4 wars from 1667-1713.
The Fronde, an uprising in France that nearly overthrew Louis XIV early in his reign, a revolt of the French nobility.
The nobles of the robe, the service nobility of lawyers and administrators led the first Fronde which broke out in Paris and ended by compromise (1648-9). The second Fronde (1650-2) was led by the nobles of the sword, who were descended from the medieval nobility. Wanted to overthrow Marzarin (successor of Louis XIII) to secure nobility positions and increase power. 2nd Fronde was crushed bc the nobles began fighting each other instead of Marzarin. End of Fronde concluded that French royalty would create stability and Louis XIV took over supreme power (1661).
Most of the fighting during the Thirty Years' War took place in Germanic Lands
Thirty Years' War seen as "last of the religious wars" however became more secular. Became a Europe-wide struggle. Germany was divided into two armed camps anticipating a religious war after the Calvinist ruler of Palatinate, Frederick IV assumed the leadership in forming a league or German Protestant states called the Protestant Union and Duke Maximilian of the south German state of Bavaria organized the Catholic League of German states as a counteract. HRE and Europe was also divided bc Hasburg emperors wanted to strengthen their power in HRE but German princes resisted. HRE turned to Spain for help and princes turned to enemies of Spain (France).
Frederick William the Great Elector built Brandenburg-Prussia into a significant European power by making the General War Commissariat...
levy taxes for the army and oversee its growth and training. To prevent nobles from challenging Frederick's political control, he gave nobles unlimited power over peasants, exemption from taxation, and highest army and Commissariat ranks. Built economy with domestic industry. Laid the groundwork for Prussian state.
***Peter the Great's ambition was to
make Russia into a great state and a military power. Wanted to "open a window to the west" make a port easily accessible to Europe.
Cardinal Richelieu understood that, in Louis XIV's France, the most important roadblock to building a strong monarchy was _________.
resistance by the great nobles.
Spain exerted the most influence on Italy by
the 18th century. From the beginning of Philip II's reign un 1556-1713, Spanish presence was felt everywhere in Italy besides Florence, the Papal States, and Venice, who were able to remain independent.
***The "sleeping giant" of Eastern Europe in the first half of the seventeenth century was
the Ottoman Empire. Occupied by domestic blood-letting and severely threatened by a challenge from Persia, Ottomans were content with status quo and were inactive.