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1543
Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution was the eponymous science part of the Renaissance, classified by many scientists, mathematicians, etc., such as Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Gottfried Leibniz. The Scientific Revolution didn't just bring advances in STEM fields; it also marked new secular ways of thinking that precluded the Enlightenment, where people focused on rationality, empiricism, etc., rather than traditionally believing in Christianity and God without questioning. -
1547
Reign of Ivan the Terrible
Ivan the Terrible ruled Russia with an iron fist. He murdered opponents to him, imposed high taxes, and oppressed people domestically. However, he was successful in expanding Russia's influence by gaining territories and allying with the Cossacks. Ivan the Terrible's reign represents one of the prime absolutists during this time period; but not only did he represent a leader who refused constitutionality and ruled by himself, he proved how successful absolutist rulers can be. -
Reign of Henry IV in France
After Henry IV saw what happened in the Thirty Years' War, he created the Edict of Nantes, which essentially allowed for freedom of religion and rebuilt the economy and infrastructure of France. He also raised money by selling royal offices instead of taxing to gain popular support. While Henry IV wasn't necessarily as absolutist as his counterparts like Louis XIV, his reign marks the start of the era of French political reform that his counterparts did strive for. -
English Civil War
Charles I fought against his own Parliament, the New Model Army because Parliament was being mistreated by Charles and refused to listen to him. Eventually, Charles I is defeated by Oliver Cromwell and is then beheaded in front of Europe. While this event was merely one execution of a King, it starts a period of constitutionalism vs absolutism; the first time European history sees its citizens and governments fighting back against an absolutist monarch. -
Reign of Louis XIV
Louis XIV was one of the most prominent absolutists during this time period. He stripped the governmental power of the Nobles and created the Estates General but never called on them. However, he did make significant reforms, such as increasing the French economy through monopolies rather than taxes. He represents one of the biggest absolutists at this time due to his absolute yet effective rule, in which he never shared power with anyone else. He also shares the theme of reforming his country. -
Reign of Oliver Cromwell
Cromwell takes over after Charles I and attempts to make a dictatorship for himself named the Protectorate, where he creates a Rump Parliament and exercises a military dictatorship where religious freedom minus Catholics was rampant. He exercised mercantilism and also drafted a Constitution under a authoritarian social contract. While Cromwell's England wasn't a perfect democracy, it did represent the beginnings of a trend of constitutionalism unseen before in the monarchy of England. -
English Restoration
Charles II attempted to restore the English monarchy after the English Civil War by restoring both Parliament and the Anglican Church. He also tried to reinforce Catholicism by introducing the Test Act, but both Charles and James II eventually failed in reintroducing it. Overall, the English Restoration marks one of the final periods of absolutism and serves as a warning for constitutionalism; because of the abuses that both Charles and James commit, the citizens grow tired and overthrow them. -
Reign of Peter the Great
Peter the Great industrialized Russia while also conquering many territories like Sweden and Azov for Russia. He grew the army and increased quality of life for his citizens through education and a bureaucracy. Overall, Peter the Great's reign and reforms allowed Russia to "catch up" with its European counterparts in terms of not only industrialization and power-wise, but also in terms of Westernization. His bureaucracy also goes along with the current theme of constitutionalism at the time. -
Revocation of Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes was introduced to essentially provide religious freedom in France to both Protestants and Catholics. However, Louis XIV revoked this Edict - because although he personally didn't care in who believed in what religion, he felt that religious diversity created polarization and was a threat to the monarchy, so he stripped it and persecuted Protestants. This action represents absolutism and its ability to allow rulers to singlehandedly make actions based on what they feel is best -
Glorious Revolution
After James II's monarchy rule in England, William and Mary took over the Crown with riots that came with minimal bloodshed or conflict. William and Mary brought significant democratic reforms to the Crown, like the inability to suspend laws or upholding the Bill of Rights. This event marks the end of absolutism in England while also marking the beginning of the rise of constitutionalism and democracy, which will have lasting effects until even modern times. -
War of Spanish Succession
In one of Louis XIV's many wars, Louis XIV attempted to claim multiple Spanish lands for himself and his grandson after the death of Charles II. However, Louis XIV was defeated by the Grand Alliance and had to give up French expansion and some territories to England. This event marks a prime example of absolutism; Louis XIV singlehandedly started a war on his own will, and the repercussions served as a reminder that constitutionalism may be needed, because French expansion could have continued. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a period of time where people started questioning virtually everything. Debates were had over foreign policy, social equality, economics, etc. Philosophers and philosophes were commonplace in reforming the way people thought, and quality of life was overall improved. The Enlightenment was an extremely important period of time that radically changed the way of thinking for many, and had effects on even the way some governments functioned, like Catherine the Great. -
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was fought between France and England, the former of which eventually teamed up against Prussia. Frederick the Great successfully defended Prussia against the alliance and eventually, Russia called off its troops and France had to give up territories to the U.S. This feat marks one of the impressive accomplishments that enlightened absolutists like Frederick could pull off; not only that, but Frederick was impacted by the SYW and wanted to have a more humane ruling after it. -
Reign of Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great wanted to industrialize Russia, much like Peter the Great had done. She patronized philosophes, improved education and domestic policies, strengthened local governments, and expanded territory into the Mongols and the Crimean Tartars. Catherine the Great was extremely similar to Peter in that both rulers significantly improved the quality of lives of Russians by reforming Russian structures; but unlike Peter and other rulers, Catherine was an enlightened absolutist.
