Absolutism

Conflict and Absolutism in Europe

  • Feb 10, 1556

    King Philip II

    King Philip II
    King Philip II was the greatest supporter of militant Catholicism in the late 1500s. He insisted in strict conformity to Catholicism and strong monarchical authority in all that he ruled. Muslims and Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism or leave.
  • Feb 10, 1558

    Elizabeth Tudor

    Elizabeth Tudor
    In 1558, Elizabeth Tudor was given the throne to England. During her rule, England became the ruler of the Protestant nations of Europe and had plans for a world empire. She repealed the laws favoring Catholics. Her foreign policy was to balance power between Spain and France.
  • Feb 10, 1562

    The French Wars of Religion

    The French Wars of Religion
  • Feb 10, 1562

    Huguenots

    Huguenots
    The Huguenots were French Protestants influenced by the creator of Calvinism, John Calvin.40-50% of the nobility and 7% of the total French population were Huguenots. They were a threat to the Crown that was very powerful. The ultra-Catholics highly opposed the Huguenots.
  • Edict of Nantes

    Edict of Nantes
    There were many battles fought between the Catholics and the Huguenots. Henry of Navarre was named Henry IV. He was the Huguenot political leader. He realized that he would never be accepted by Catholic France since he was a Protestant. He issued the Edict of Nantes that named Catholicism as the official religion of France. The Huguenots could still do what they used to do, also.
  • Queen Elizabeth Dies

    Queen Elizabeth Dies
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right
    This placed many limits in the king's power. There were limits on how much he could tax, imprison citizens without cause, quarter troops, and institute martial law. He accepted it at first, but later ignored it.
  • Leviathan

    Leviathan
    Thomas Hobbes published the Leviathan to deal with disorder problems. He believes that one shall rule above all. This ruler shall have total and unlimited power.
  • Cromwell Dies

    Cromwell Dies
  • Louis XIV Takes Over France With Ultimate Power

    Louis XIV Takes Over France With Ultimate Power
  • James II Becomes King

    James II Becomes King
    James II becomes king. This is caused by his father's death (Charles II). James II was an open and devout Catholic.
  • James II Has Another Child

    James II Has Another Child
    James II and his second wife, a Catholic, has a son. This concerned Parliament. They were worried about having a Catholic monarch.
  • Toleration Act of 1689

    Toleration Act of 1689
    This act was set by Parliament. It gave Puritans, but not Catholics the right to free public worship. After this, few English citizens would be persecuted for their religion.
  • Two Treatisies of Government

    Two Treatisies of Government
    John Locke had a different view of political power than Thomas Hobbes. He believed that all humans have certain rights that they were born with. These rights are life, liberty, and property.
  • Louis XIV Dies

    Louis XIV Dies