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The Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes was issued by Henry IV and it granted the French Huguenots who were Calvanists, the right to practice their religion in certain regions of France. This gave Huguenots national recognition and tolerance and started the centralization of power in France. -
Michael Romanov becomes tsar in Russia
The boyars, or Russian nobility, elect Michael Romanov as tsar in 1613. This begins the Romanov dynasty, a dynasty that saw the rise of Russia as a westernized and absolutist state. This dynasty continued on until was overthrown in 1917. -
Cardinal Richelieu becomes Louis XIII's cheif minister
Louis XIII elects Cardinal Richelieu as his chief minister. He consolidated the power of the monarchy, lowered that of the nobles, and worked to stop the Habsburgs. His election helped lay the foundation for absolutism in France. -
Frederick William the Great Elector begins reign
Frederick William the Great Elector made Prussia an absolutist state by strengthening the army tremendously and suppressing the power of the Prussian nobles by forcing them to serve the state. -
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Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Year's War and marked the beginning of the decline of these three Eastern states: the Holy Roman Empire, Poland, and the Ottoman Empire. Their decline as powerful European states paved the way for new absolutist states to rise up in their place. -
Cardinal Mazarin's Death and Louis XIV's Taking of Power
Cardinal Mazarin died on March 9th, 1661, and this allowed twenty-three year old Louis XIV to assume personal control of the French government, which he held until his death in 1715. This marked the beginning of French absolutism under Louis XIV. -
Jean-Baptiste Colbert becomes French chief minister
In 1662, Jean-Baptiste Colbert became the French chief minister and focused much on improving France's economy. Colbert integrated mercantilism in France which benefitted the economy by maximizing exports and minimizing imports, reduced the power of the nobles in the trading industry, and gave the government control over the economy. All of these benefitted French absolutism. -
Peter the Great becomes Tsar of Russia
Peter the Great becoming Tsar of Russia was one of the best things to happen to Russia during this time period. Peter worked diligently to make Russia an absolutist and westernized state. -
Louis XIV Revokes the Edict of Nantes
Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685 because he thought religious unity was necessary for political unity and the centralization of government. His revocation helped increase the power of the monarchy through the religious unity, but the departure of the Huguenots from France also hurt the nation. -
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The Great Northern War
The Great Northern War, fought between Russia and Sweden, gave Russia influence in Eastern Europe with a new capital in St. Petersburg. It also gave Russia a western-style army, which Peter the Great reformed after a devestating defeat to the Swedes in battle, which helped westernize the state and lead them towards absolutism. This army was controlled by the monarchy, another work by Peter the Great to establish absolutism in Russia. -
Pragmatic Sanction of 1713
The Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 was made to address the main issue of Charles VI's reign in Austria: ensuring the succession of his daughter as heir of Habsburg lands and ensuring the unity of the lands. The Sanction said that Habsburg lands could not be divided and had to be inherited by one heir, which would be his daughter. This was an attempt by him to assure his absolutist ways would be carried on. -
Frederick William I begins his reign in Prussia
Frederick William I begain his reign in Prussia in 1713. He was a significant figure in this time period because he centralized the power of the monarchy and reduced the power of the nobles. He more than doubled the size of the Prussian army and helped start Prussia's rise as a European power. -
Peace of Utrecht
The Peace of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession and created a balance of power in Europe. It benefitted Brittain, the Netherlands, and hurt Spain and France, diminishing their continential power. -
Louis XIV dies
When Louis XIV died in 1715, he left his successors with a nation in large financial troubles due to his expensive wars. His death began the decline of absolutism in France. -
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Louis XIV moves the French Gov't to Versailles
Louis XIV, in 1722, moved the center of the French government to Versailles. He required nobles to live here, and used architechture and landscaping to please them. This weakened the power of the nobles while at the same time raised the power of the monarch, Louis XIV.
