Transcript Centralization of Power and the New Monarchs

Centralization of Power
and the New Monarchs
European Politics in the 15th and
16th Centuries
Growth of Central Governments
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Rise of “New Monarchs in France, Spain
and England leads to centralization of
political power.
Economic and Social changes reflected in
the growing power of governments.
Rulers encouraged trade, overseas
expansion, to obtain taxes and revenues
to further increase their power.
Valois France
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France is devastated by the effects of the
Hundred Years War
Louis XI (r. 1461-1483) consolidates
power.
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Makes war and kills the Duke of Burgundy,
making the province under French control
Used diplomacy to gain further lands (earns
him the nickname “the Spider”)
Charles VIII becomes involved the Italian
Wars.
Valois France – Gov’t Power
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System of Taxation put into place
Francis I gains control over the church;
right to appoint bishops.
Legalization of the sale of offices
(provided revenue)
Streamlined government procedures and
efficiency.
United Spain
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The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and
Sicily and Isabella of Castile united the
Kingdom of Spain the 1479 after 10 years
of civil war with nobles who opposed it.
Worked to reduce the power of nobles in
the court, favored the lesser nobility
(hidalgo)
Gained control over military orders
United Spain
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Monarchy gained right to make
appointments of bishops.
Direct supervision over the judicial system
Direct collection of taxes and other
revenues
Religious zeal and the desire to drive the
remaining Muslims from Spain.
Establishment and control of the
Inquisition.
United Spain – Charles V
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Charles V (grandson of F & I) held the throne
of Spain (and he overseas territories) and the
throne of the HRE.
Reoccurring crises kept Charles involved in the
politics of the HRE and away from Spain.
He faced financial difficulties – only saved by
New World treasure.
Little changed in Spanish administration, but
the New World empire continued to expand.
Tudor England
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Monarch’s power was balanced by
Parliament and Common Law; allowed
for uniformity across the land
Henry VII (1485-1509) reestablishes
royal control after the Wars of the Roses
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Financial independence for the monarchy
Increase the power of Justices of the Peace.
Increase power and influence of royal
council (the Star Chamber).
Tudor England
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Henry VIII
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Used Reformation Parliament to increase
power of the king (while Parliament’s
prestige increased as well.)
Royal power increased through the
leadership of Thomas Cromwell and the
Privy Council
Royal income rose with the appropriation of
church fees and possession; selling of
church lands to new landowners.
Tudor England
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Edward VI
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Mary I
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Being a minor, the nobility attempted to take
back more power.
In attempt to reestablish Catholicism,
provoked revolts.
Elizabeth I
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Despite the political mistakes of her
predecessors, Elizabeth made use of royal
power established by her father and
grandfather
Fragmented States
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Holy Roman Empire – elected nature of
emperor, strong princes, multi-ethnic.
Italy – political fragmentation; papacy
Hungary – nobles reassert control;
multiethnic empire.
Poland – elected and weak king, strong
Diet dominated by nobles.
Ottoman Empire – multiethnic and
multi-religious empire.