HS 8: Absolutism in Eastern Europe 1600-1740

Frederick II 1) Why was Frederick II considered to be an "Enlightened Despot" 2) Why did he betray the Hapsburgs

1) Considered to be an "Enlightened Despot" for his incorporation of Enlightenment ideas into his reign. • Instituted a number of important reforms 2) Increased Prussia's territory at the expense of the Austrian Hapsburgs

Frederick William 1) How did Frederick William establish Prussia as a great power and lay the groundwork for unification of Germany? 2) Which group helped to form the backbone of the military and how did this benefit Prussia?

1) He oversaw Prussian militarism and created the most efficient army in Europe. He employed military power and taxation to unify his Rhine holdings, Prussia, and Brandenburg into a strong state. Increased military spending was achieved through heavy taxes (twice that of Louis XIV in France). 2) "Junkers" formed the backbone of the Prussian military officer corps • These nobles and landowners dominated the Estates of Brandenburg and Prussia. • In 1653, the hereditary subjugation of serfs was established as a way of compensating the nobles for their support of the crown.

Frederick William I 1) What did Frederick William I do to become the most polar of the Hohenzollern kings? 2)Name the two wars Frederick I fought to keep the European balance of power 3) What did Frederick I gain in return for aiding the Habsburgs? 4) Why was Prussia referred to as "Sparta of the North?" 5) How did Frederick I change the government and how did he get the Junkers to follow suit?

1) He sought to imitate the court of Louis XIV. b. He encouraged higher education. • Founded a university and encouraged the founding of an academy of science • Welcomed immigrant scholars 2) Fought two wars against Louis XIV to preserve the European balance of power: a. Nine Years' War and the War of Spanish Succession 3) Treaty of Utrecht (1713): The elector of Brandenburg/Prussia was now recognized internationally as the "King of Prussia" in return for aid to Habsburgs. 4) He infused militarism into all of Prussian society. a. Prussia became known as "Sparta of the North" • One notable diplomat said, "Prussia, is not a state with an army, but an army with a state." • Society became rigid and highly disciplined. • Unquestioning obedience was the highest virtue. • It was the most militaristic society of modern times. b. He nearly doubled the size of the army. • Prussia had the best army in Europe. • It was Europe's 4th largest army (next to France, Russia and Austria). c. 80% of gov't revenues went towards the military. d. The Prussian army was designed to avoid war through deterrence. • The only time Frederick William I fought a war was after Sweden occupied a city in northern Germany; the Swedes were subsequently forced out. 5) He oversaw the most efficient bureaucracy in Europe. a. He removed the last of the parliamentary estates and local self-government. b. He demanded absolute obedience and discipline from civil servants. c. High levels of taxation 4. The Junkers remained the officers' caste in the army in return for supporting the king's absolutism. 5. The gov't established compulsory elementary education in 1717.

Romanov Dynasty 1) What was the "Time of Troubles" and who came to power because of it? 2) How did classes and common beliefs change throughout Romonov's time in power? 3) Why did "Old Believers" burn themselves and what were the consequences of resisting the new religious sects

1) Romanov came to power in Muscovy after the horrific "Time of Troubles" (civil war). 2) Nobles gained more exemptions from military service. b. The rights of peasants declined. c. Romanov favored the boyars (Russian nobles) in return for their support. • Bloody Cossack revolts resulted in further restrictions on serfs. d. Western ideas gained ground. • Western books were translated into Russian, new skills and technology developed, and changes in clothing and customs occurred (such as men trimming their beards). • First Russian translation of the Bible began in 1649 • By 1700, 20,000 Europeans lived in Russia 3) "Old Believers" of the Orthodox Church resisted the influx of new religious sects from the west (e.g. Lutherans and Calvinists). • In protest, 20,000 burned themselves to death over 20 years. • "Old Believers" were severely persecuted by the government.

Frederick William 1) How did Frederick William encourage industry and trade? 2) What was the cause of failure in overseas trade?

1) Skilled craftsmen and Dutch farmers were imported. b. New industries emerged: woolens, cotton, linens, velvet, lace, silk, soap, paper and iron products. 2) Efforts at overseas trade largely failed due to Prussia's lack of ports and naval experience

Peter the Great 1) What revolt did Peter defeat that put him into power? 2) What changes did Peter make in the military and education to prepare for it? 3) What opportunities did non-nobles receive under his reign? 4) How did Peter the Great get Russia to outproduce England in iron production? 5) By ruling by decree, what advantages did that give Peter the Great over other types of government? 6) How did the creation of the Table of Ranks affect the people under Peter's rule/ 7) What was the purpose of Peter the Great's St. Petersburg and how did he get people to build it? 8) How was Russia modernized by Peter's reforms?

1) The revolt of the Strelski was defeated by Peter in 1698. a. These Moscow guards had overthrown previous leaders 2) 75% of the national budget was spent on the military by the end of Peter's reign. c. He established royal, military and artillery academies. d. All young male nobles were required to leave home and serve 5 years of compulsory education. e. A large navy built on the Baltic (though it declined after Peter's death). 3) Non-nobles had opportunities to rise up the ranks 4) He imported to Russia substantial numbers of western technicians and craftsmen to aid in the building of large factories An industrial form of serfdom existed in factories where workers could be bought and sold. d. State-regulated monopolies were created(echoed mercantilist policies of western Europe). • However, this actually stifled economic growth. • Industrial serfs created inferior products 5) Peter ruled by decree (example of absolute power). • The tsar theoretically owned all land in the state; nobles and peasants served the state. • No representative political bodies existed. • All landowners owed lifetime service to the state (either in the military, civil service, or court); in return they gained greater control over their serfs 6) Created the Table of Ranks: Set educational standards for civil servants • Peter sought to replace the old Boyar nobility with a new service-based nobility loyal to the tsar. c. The Russian secret police ruthlessly and efficiently crushed opponents of the state. d. Taxation • Heavy rates were placed on trade sales and rent. • A head tax was placed on every male. e. Peter turned the Orthodox Church into a government department in 1700. 7) He sought to create a city similar to Amsterdam and his palace, the Peterhof, with the grandeur of Versailles labor was conscripted. d. Peter ordered many noble families to move to the city and build their homes according to Peter's plans. e. Merchants and artisans were also ordered to live in the city and help build it. f. Peasants were conscripted for heavy labor in the city's construction 8) Peter's reforms modernized Russia and brought it closer to the European mainstream. a. A more modern military and state bureaucracy were created. b. An emerging concept of interest in the state, as separate from the tsar's interest, developed

Brandenburg Questions: 1) How was the ruler of Brandenburg delegated? 2) How did marriages affect control? 3)What was the amount of power the prince had over the nobility?

1) The ruler of Brandenburg was designated as one of 7 electors in the Holy Roman Empire in 1417. 2) Marriages increasingly gave the Hohenzollerns control of German principalities in central and western Germany. 3) The prince had little power over the nobility

Frederick William "Great Elector" 1) What were his beliefs towards religion and government? 2)What was happening between Sweden and Poland that created a hectic Prussian atmosphere?

1) Though a strict Calvinist, he granted religious toleration to Catholics and Jews. He admired the Swedish system of government and the economic power of the Netherlands. c. The ongoing struggle between Sweden and Poland for control of the Baltic after 1648 and the wars of Louis XIV created an atmosphere of permanent crisis. • Prussia was invaded in 1656-57 by Tartars of southern Russia who killed or carried off as slaves more than 50,000 people. • The invasion weakened the noble estates and strengthened the urgency of the elector's demands for more money for a larger army. • Prussian nobles refused to join representatives of towns in resisting royal power

How did the Peace of Westphalia affect the Holy Roman Empire?

As a result of the Holy Roman Empire's limitation of sovereignty in the Peace of Westphalia, Prussia rose to power and the Habsburgs, centered in Austria, shifted their empire eastward.

What was the differences between Eastern European absolutism and French absolutism?

Absolute monarchies limited the nobility's participation in governance but preserved the aristocracy's social position and legal privileges. Eastern European absolutism differed from French absolutism: 1) Eastern absolutism was based on a powerful nobility, weak middle class, and control over peasants by oppression. 2) In France, the nobility's power had been limited, the middle class was relatively strong, and peasants were generally free from serfdom. 3)Louis XIV built French absolutism upon the foundations of a well-developed medieval monarchy and a strong royal bureaucracy.

What was the relationship between European countries after 1648?

After 1648, dynastic and state interests, along with Europe's expanding colonial empires, influenced the diplomacy of European states and frequently led to war.

When did the Ottoman Empire cease their expansion and how did this contribute to their demise?

After the Austrian defeat of the Turks in 1683 at the Battle of Vienna, the Ottomans ceased their westward expansion. The Ottoman Empire was built on expansion: • The Sultan had absolute power in the empire. • After 1560 the decline in its western expansion resulted in the gradual disintegration of the empire.

What was the Battle of Vienna?

Leopold I severely restricted Protestant worship. and in Battle of Vienna, he successfully repelled the Turks from the gates of Vienna in 1683. This was the last attempt by the Ottoman Empire to take central Europe.

What brought about the Holy Roman Empire?

Religious divisions due to the Reformation and religious wars in the 16th and 17th centuries split Germany among Catholic, Lutheran and Calvinist princes.

The Great Northern War 1) What was the Great Northern War and what were its goals?

Russia vs. Sweden 1) Modernization and westernization were Peter's major focuses

What reforms did Frederick William, "The Great Elector" make?

The "Great Elector" established Prussia as a Great Power and laid the foundation for the future unification of Germany in the 19th century. Most significantly, he oversaw Prussian militarism and created the most efficient army in Europe. He employed military power and taxation to unify his Rhine holdings, Prussia, and Brandenburg into a strong state. Increased military spending was achieved through heavy taxes (twice that of Louis XIV in France). The Prussian nobility was not exempted. Soldiers also served as tax collectors and policemen, thus expanding the government's bureaucracy. "Junkers" formed the backbone of the Prussian military officer corps. These nobles and landowners dominated the Estates of Brandenburg and Prussia. In 1653, the hereditary subjugation of serfs was established as a way of compensating the nobles for their support of the crown. He encouraged industry and trade. Skilled craftsmen and Dutch farmers were imported. New industries emerged: woolens, cotton, linens, velvet,lace, silk, soap, paper and iron products. Efforts at overseas trade largely failed due to Prussia's lack of ports and naval experience.

How Austria, Prussia and Russia emerge from the Polish Kingdom?

The inability of the Polish monarchy to consolidate its authority over the nobility led to Poland's partition by Prussia, Russia, and Austria, and its disappearance from the map of Europe. Polish Kingdom: liberum veto - voting in the Polish parliament had to be unanimous for changes to be made; thus, little could be done to systematically strengthen the kingdom. Russia and Prussia encouraged certain members of the Polish nobility to invoke the liberum veto to weaken the country. By 1800, Poland ceased to exist as a sovereign state; it was carved up by Russia, Austria and Prussia.

Why serfdom in Eastern Europe and not Western Europe?

The supremacy of noble landlords. Peasant solidarity in the east was weaker than western communities.

What encouraged Eastern leader to turn to absolutism as a form of government?

Threat of war with European and Asian invaders were important motivations for eastern European monarchs' drive to consolidate power. Resulted in reduced political power of the nobility. However, nobles gained much greater power over the peasantry.

What were the three aging empires and the three rising empires of 17th century?

Three Aging Empires: Holy Roman Empire Ottoman Empire Polish Kingdom Three Rising Empires: Russia Austria Prussia

What were the three important methods of gaining absolute power?

Three important methods of gaining absolute power: a. Kings imposed and collected permanent taxes without the consent of their subjects. b. States maintained permanent standing armies. c. States conducted relations with other states as they pleased.